A  GREAT  WAR  STORY  OF  SHERMAN'S  MARCH  TO  THE  SEA. 


Copyright  1892,  by  Chas.  D.  Siblry  A  Son. 


Entered  as  second-class  mall  matter  at  the  l?ew  York  post-omce. 


Vol.  1 — No.  11. 


New  Tort  January  9, 1892. 


Price  5  Cents. 


CAVALRY  CURT; 


OE, 


Tlie  "W^zEtzccL  Scout  of  -tlxe  Arxn.y. 

By    Gh    WALDO    BROWNE, 

Author  of  ''The  Swordsman  of  Toledo,''''  "Border  Knights,"  Etc.,  Etc. 


-.*& 


•HOLD  UP  THERE,  YOU  YANKEE  DEYJi.!  WILL  YC'J  SURRENDER!"  SHOUTED  THE  REBEL 
LEADER.  "  N£\  ER  1"  CRiED  CAVALRY \  JRT,  DASHING  MADLY  ON. 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


CAVALRY  CURT; 

— OR  — 

THE  WIZARD  OF  THE  ARMY. 


BY  G.   WALDO  BROWNE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

RUNNING  THE  GANTLET. 

"Halt!  who  comes  there?" 

Time:  Daybreak  on  the  morning  of  May 
6th,  1864. 

Scene:  A  wild,  broken  area  of  country 
in  northern  Georgia. 

Actors:  In  the  foreground,  a  horseman 
and  a  drowsy  sentinel  roused  to  a  sense 
of  his  duty  by  the  sound  of  the  approach- 
ing rider;  in  the  background,  a  score  or 
more  of  Con  federate  calvary — men  spring- 
ing from  their  blankets  at  the  warning 
of  danger. 

A  rifle  had  sprung  to  the  shoulder  of 
the  startled  sentry,  and  the  sharp  click 
of  a  lock  followed  his  ringing  challenge. 

The  foam-flecked  steed  of  theon-comer 
was  hurled  back  upon  its  haunches  by 
the  iron  hold  laid  upon  its  bit. 

"Who  comes  th«re ? "  repeated  the 
ominous  tone  of  the  man  in  gray. 

"A  friend  to  the  loyal,"  answered  the 
horseman. 

"Advance,  friend,  and  give  the  counter- 
sign." 

"  Freedom!" 

As  the  single  word  left  the  stranger's 
lips,  he  plunged  the  rowels  deep  into  his 
horse's  quivering  flank,  when  like  an  ar- 
row shot  from  a  bow  he  bounded  for- 
ward. 

The  movement  was  so  sudden  that  be- 
fore the  surprised  sentry  could  discharge 
his  weapon  the  rider  was  upon  him. 

The  report  of  his  rifle  followed,  but 
the  bullet  flew  wide  of  its  mark,  and  he 
was  hurled  to  the  earth. 

"On,  Wildbird,  on!"  cried  the  reckless 
rider,  his  words  drowned  by  the  sounds 
of  his  flying  steed's  iron  heel. 

The  amazed  cavalrymen  had  gained 
their  feet. 

"Stop  him,  boys!"  cried  their  leader. 
V  'Tis  one  of  Sherman's  scouts!" 

The  valley  was  narrow  here. 

Upon  the  right,  looking  south,  rose 
abruptly  the  rugged  heights. 

On  the  left,  a  spur  of  the  mouutain 
range  had  a  more  gradual  ascen\ 

The  escaping  horseman  was  forced  to 
pause  within  a  short  distance  of  his  en- 
emies— so  near  in  fact  that  his  white  face 
shone  plainly  in  the  starlight. 

"  Fire!"  rang  out  the  cavalry  chief's 
wild  command. 


A  volley  of  bullets  whistled  around  the 
fugitive's  head. 

He  was  seen  to  reel  in  his  saddle,  but 
his  flight  was  unchecked. 

"S' death!  there  he  goes!"  exclaimed 
the  Confederate  leader.  "  Quick!  follow 
ine!" 

As  one  the  twenty  men  sprang  for- 
ward to  intercept  the  fugitive's  flight? 

Owing  to  a  curve  in'  the  valley  the 
horseman  could  not  pursue  a  straight 
course. 

Thus  at  the  moment  when  his  escape 
seemed  certain  he  found  his  retreat  en* 
off. 

He  was  hemmed  in. 

As  yet  he  had  not  fired  a  shot. 

His  assailants  were  now  so  close  upon 
him  that  his  rifle  was  useless  save  as  a 
club. 

If  he  realized  his  hopeless  situation  he 
did  not  hesitate  in  his  headlong  course. 

"On,  Wildbird,  on!" 

Like  a  Centaur  he  swept  into  the  midst 
of  his  foes. 

Some  were  hurled  right  and  left. 

The  foremost  seized  the  bridle  of  the 
plunging  horse. 

"  Hold  up  there,  you  Yankee  devil!" 

"Never!"  rang  out  the  sham  retort, 
and  the  other  was  felled  to  the  earth. 

"On,  Wildbird,  on!" 

The  path  was  blocked. 

In  vain  the  noble  brute  struggled  to 
free  himself. 

Three  of  the  sentinels  were  clinging  to 
its  bridle  and  the  plunging  steed  was 
stopped. 

Others  of  the  assailants  were  trying  to 
pull  the  rider  from  his  seat. 

A  few  shots  were  fired,  but  the  fight 
had  come  to  such  close  quarters  that  fire- 
arms were  of  little  use. 

The  stranger's  rifle  had  been  hurled 
from  his  grasp. 

He  felt  himself  borne  down,  and  for  a 
moment  his  struggles  ceased. 

"Will  you  surrender?"  gritted  the 
leader. 

"Never!" 

"On,  Wildbird,  on!" 

Suddenly,  with  a  herculean  effort,  the 
the  horseman  freed  his  right  arm. 

An  instant  later  a  knife  flashed  in  his 
hand. 

Descryinga  circle  in  the  air  it  descended 
with  lightning-like  rapidity,  severing  at  a 
single  stroke  the  horse's  bridle. 

At  the  same  time  the  assailants  stag- 
gered back,  leaving  the  wounded  and 
maddened  steed  free. 

With  a  snort  of  defiance  it  bounded 
forward  sending  the  baffled  men  right 
and  left. 

Before  they  could  rally  the  dashing 
scout  had  cleared  them. 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


A  few  shots  were  fired,  but  none  seemed 
to  take  effect, 

As  their  yells  of  rage  rang  on  the  air, 
the  fugitive  disappeared  down  the  valley. 

•'That's  a  pretty  go!"  muttered  the 
leader  of  the  discom fitted  gang.  "  I  should 
rather  have  lost  my  right  arm  than  that 
he  should  have  escaped." 

"Did  you  recognize  him,  captain?" 
asked  a  tall,  flaxened-hair  soldier. 

"He  is  Cavalry  Curt." 

"Not  Phil  Kearney's  scout?" 

"  The  same.  I  heard  at  headquarters 
yesterday  that  he  was  in  ^  these  regions. 
His    presence    means    us    mischief." 

"And  his  escape  something  worse". 

"But  he  must  not  escape." 

"Quick,  into  the  saddle.  We  must  fol- 
low him." 

Three  of  the  party  were  injured  so  that 
they  could  not  join  in  the  pursuit,  and 
were  forced  to  remain  behind. 

The  others  vaulted  into  the  saddle  and 
a  few  minutes  later  were  following  as 
rapidly  as  the  country  would  permit  on 
the  trail  of  the  fugitive. 

He  had  only  a  slight  start  of  them  and 
they  felt  confident  of  quickly  overtaking 
and  capturing  him. 

In  the  very  heart  of  the  enemy's 
country  bis  escape  indeed  seemed  impos- 
sible. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  FUGITIVE  SCOUT. 

"  Look,  Mara!  Do  my  old  eyes  deceive 
me,  or  is  that  a  horseman?" 

"Where,  grandpa?" 

"Crossing  the  ridge  yonder." 

They  presented  a  striking  picture — 
one  bowed  beneath  the  weight  of  four- 
score years,  his  countenance  shrunken 
and  wrinkled,  his  long,  thin  lock  glisten- 
ing in  the  sunlight  with  the  frosts  of 
time;  the  other  just  buddinginto  woman- 
hood, fair  as  a  poet's  dream,  with  hair 
that  vied  with  the  gold  of  the  sun  and 
eyes  of  a  heavenly  blue. 

She  was  leaning  gently  on  the  arm  of 
her  aged  companion  as  they  stood  in  the 
doorway  of  their  southern  home,  gazing 
upon  the  surrounding  landscape,  until 
his  eye  had  caught  sight  of  an  object  in 
the  distance  which  had  startled  the  fore- 
going dialogue. 

"I  see  him.  grandpa!"  she  exclaimed, 
as  her  gaze  followed  the  direction  he 
pointed  out. 

"  He  seems  to  be  coming  this  way,  Mara. 
Who  can  it  be?" 

"  I  cannot  tell,  grandpa.  Oh,  in  these 
terrible  times  I  tremble  lest  every  comer 
be  a  foe."  * 

"Nay,  child;  I  think  we  have  nothing 


to  fear.     Ah,  he  heads  more  to  the  south. 
He  is  not  coming  here." 

The  maiden  drew  a  breath  of  relief, 
and  as  the  strange  rider  disappeared  from 
sight  a  minute  later,  she  said: 

"  He  is  gone.  I  am  so  glad,  too.  But, 
grandpa,  have  you  forgotten  that  you 
were  to  go  to  HammoDd's  for  me?  You 
will  have  to  start  at  once;  while  I  shall 
have  to  look  after  my  work." 

"  Yes,  yes,  Mara,  my  child.  But  hark! 
Dinah  is  calling  for  you  now.  I  never 
saw  such  a  troublesome  nigger." 

With  the  words  he  went  into  the  house, 
leaving  her  still  standing  in  the  door- 
way. 

She  was  about  to  follow  her  grand- 
parent, when  a  moving  object  in  the  dis- 
tance caught  her  gaze. 

It  looked  like  a  man  moving  at  the  top 
of  his  speed. 

"  Who  can  it  be?"  she  said,  speaking 
aloud.     "  He  is  coming  this  way,  too." 

Not  a  little  surprised  and  anxious  she 
continued  to  watch  and  wait. 

"It  must  be  the  horseman  grandpa 
and  I  saw  on  the  ridge,"  she  mused. 
"And  he  is  certainly  coming  here.  I 
suppose  I  ought  to  rouse  the  folks,  but 
little  good  that  will  do.  Poor  old  grand- 
pa is  our  only  protection." 

The  approach  of  the  stranger  was  no 
longer  a  matter  of  doubt. 

In  a  few  minutes  he  was  within  plain 
view. 

The  maiden  saw  that  he  was  young — 
not  more  than  twenty-one  or  twenty-two. 
He  was  handsome,  too.  Quite  tall,  broad- 
shouldered  and  with  a  countenance  that 
Apollo  might  have  envied. 

But  there  was  a  haggard  look  upon  his 
face,  and  he  carried  his  left  arm  in  a 
sling.  His  step,  too,  seemed  uneasy  and 
she  saw  that  he  had  gone  about  as  far  as 
nature  would  permit  him. 

•  'A  northern  man — an  accursed  Yankee!" 
she  exclaimed  under  her  breath,  some- 
what fiercely . 

No  one  else  had  appeared  in  sight  as 
far  as  she  could  see. 

"Help,  fair  lady!"  cried  the  wounded 
stranger,  when  he  had  come  within  a 
short  distance.     "  I  can  go  no  further!" 

She  quickly  sprang  to  his  side  and 
kindly  lent  her  aid  to  his  falling  strength. 

With  her  assistance  he  reached  the 
doorway,  where  he  sank  upon  the  thresh- 
old pale  and  faint. 

"  Let  me  get  you  a  glass  of  wine,"  she 
said,  disappearing  into  the  house. 

Gone  but  a  minute,  she  placed  the 
cordial  to  his  lips,  when  he  drank  a  strong 
draught. 

Revived  by  its  potent  power  he  started 
up  to  look  wildly  around. 

"Do  you  see  them?"  he  asked,  huskily. 


719JLO? 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"  Who?"  she  questioned  in  surprise. 

"A  body  of  horseman.  I  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  them.  My  horse  was  shot 
and  after  running  until  nearly  exhausted 
I  saw  your  house.  I  had  barely  strength 
to  get  here.  I  trust  you  will  befriend 
me,"  and  his  dark  eyes  were  turned 
toward  her  in  pleading  more  eloquent 
than  words. 

Her  eyes  fell  before  his  gaze. 

"You  are  a  Yankee!"  she  exclaimed  in 
confusion. 

"Yes,"  he  answered  frankly.  "I  am 
one  of  Sherman's  scouts." 

A  shadow  fell  upon  her  fair  counte- 
nance. 

"jWe  are  rebels,  here!"  she  faltered.  "  I 
have  a  brother  in  Johnston's  army." 

It  was  his  turn  to  look  dismayed. 

"  Pardon  me,  I  could  go  no  further. 
I " 

"  Never  mind;  you  seem  like  an  honest 
man,  though  one  of  Abe  Lincoln's  hire- 
lings. You  can  rest  here  until  you  regain 
your  strength." 

"  Thank  you.  I  will  not  stop  Jong,  for 
it  would  not  be  well  for'you  to  have  them 
find  uie  here." 

They  may  not  come  this  way.  Do  you 
know  whose  command  it  was?" 

"  It  was  led  by  Captain  Dermot." 

She  turned  pale  as  he  uttered  the 
name. 

"  He  is  a  bad  man.  But  you  are 
wounded.  Forgive  me  for  not  thinking 
of  it  before." 

"  I  do  not  think  it  is  anything  serious. 
I  bandaged  it  so  as  to  stop  somewhat  the 
flow  of  blood.  It  is  nothing,"  and  he 
smiled  faintly. 

"But  I  must  insist  upon  seeing  that  it 
is  properly  cared  for  with  your  permission. 
I  am  quite  a  surgeon." 

"  Your  countenance  seems  very  familiar 
to  me,  but  it  can't  be  that  we  have  met 
before." 

"  No;  our  name  is  Morland." 

"Morland!"  he  repeated,  excitedly. 
"Then  you  are  Mara  Morland?" 

She  started  with  wonder  as  he  men- 
tioned her  name. 

"Forgive  me,"  he  hastened  to  say, 
"but  I   have  recognized  you  from  your 

Portrait  which  I   have  seen  many  times, 
ou  have  a  brother  Harry." 
"  Yes;  but  he  is  in  the  army  now." 
"  He  and  I  were  chums  at  college." 
"And  you  are  Curtis  Remington?" 
"The  same.    This  is  a  glad   surprise 

to  me.    I  little  dreamed  of  meeting  you." 
"I   wish   that  Harry   were    here.     He 

used  to  speak  of  you  often,  and  he  told 

me  how  you  once  saved  his  life.     It  seems 

like  meeting  an  old  friend." 

"  Thank  you.     So  Harry  is  in  the  army. 

I  have  not  heard  from  him  sf.uce  we  left 


college.  The  war  broke  out  soon  after 
and  I  enlisted  at  once." 

"  I  shall  be  glad  when  this  cruel  war  is 
over,"  she  exclaimed  with  a  shudder. 
"  But  look!  there  is  a  body  of  horsemem 
coming  this  way!" 

"  It  is  Captain  Dermot's  company!" 
declared  Curtis  Remington.  "Can  it  be 
possible  they  have  tracked  me  here?" 

"They  are  coming  directly  this  way. 
They  are  riding  fast,  too." 

"Then  I  must  leave  you  at  once. 
Many  thanks  for  your  kindness.  Ah," 
he  added,  suppressing  a  groan  as  he 
staggered  to  his  feet,  "my  race  is  almost 
run." 


CHAPTER  III. 

TRACKED. 

"You  cannot — you  must  not  go!"  she 
cried,  excitedly.  "  You  will  fare  no  worse 
by  staying  here." 

"But  captivity  means  death,"  he  de- 
clared, quickly;  "and  I  prefer  to  die  as 
becomes  a  soldier.     I  thank  you,  but '' 

"  Surely  they  will  not  not  kill  you." 

"I  shall  be  shot  as  a  spy!" 

"Not  if  I  can  save  you.  What  can  I 
do?  Oh,  I  have  it;  I  will  secrete  you 
where  they  cannot  find  you'.  Follow 
me." 

"  It  will  imperil  your  own  life.  I  can 
not  do  it." 

"No — no!  Come,  quick!  See!  they  are 
almost  here,''  and  she  caught  him  excit- 
edly by  the  arm. 

Forgetting  his  wounds  he  followed  her 
up  the  stairs. 

Reaching  the  hall  she  led  the  way  into 
one  of  the  adjoining  apartments. 

"Where  can  you  hide?"  she  said.  "In 
that  trunk.     Will  that  do." 

He  shook  his  head. 

At  the  same  time  he  glanced  around 
the  room. 

The  walls  were  sheathed  with  boards. 
Some  wearing  apparel  was  hanging  in 
one  corner:  otherwise  they  were  bare. 

"If  I  could  get  off  one  of  those  boards." 

She  comprehended  his  meaning. 

"One  of  them  is  loose,"  she  replied. 
Grandpa  promised  to  nail  it  on  thF 
morning." 

While  speaking  she  began  to  remove  %A 
one  of  the  boards  that  helped  to  form  v 
the  partition. 

"See!  there  is  room  for  you  to  stand 
in  and  they  will  never  think  of  looking 
there." 

"But  what " 

"  Don't  hesitate.  I  hear  them  in  the 
yard/  We  have  no  time  to  lose.  Go  in 
there, and  leave  the  rest  to  me." 

"  He  could  do  no  better. 

w 


$ 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"Have  good  courage,"  she  said  softly, 
"and  I  will  answer  for  your  safety." 

Before  he  could  reply  she  had  replaced 
the  board. 

She  had  barely  time  to  hang  the  gar- 
ments over  the  place,  when  a  loud 
thumping  was  heard  at  the  door. 

Overcoming  her  fears  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, she  hastily  descended  the  stairs. 

Captain  Dermot  and  his  squad  were 
at  the  door. 

"Hilloa  there!'' cried  the  Confederate 
leader.  "I  should  think  you  were  all 
dead  or  run  away."  • 

"What  means  this  unceremonious  sum- 
mons. Captain  Dermot?" 

"We  are  after  a  cursed  Yankee  spy. 
Have  you  seen  him  pass  this  way,  Miss 
Morland?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"  He  rode  a  dark  horse  and " 

"But  when  I  saw  him  he  was  afoot, 
captain,"  interrupted  one  of  his  followers. 
"His  horse  must  have  played  out." 

"You  are  sure  he  was  coming  this 
way?" 

"  As  certain  as  I  am  that  I  am  looking 
at  you." 

"  Then  he  can't  be  far  off.  Are  you 
sure  you  have  not  seen  him,  Miss  Mor- 
land?" 

"I  might  have  seen  him  and  not  have 
known  him,"  she  replied  evasively. 
"Come  to  think  of  it  a  young  man  did 
pass  near  the  house  this  morning.  He 
was  quite  tall,  and  wore  a  citizen's  suit 
with  a  black,  slouched  hat.  That  much 
I  noticed." 

"He  is  our  man!"  cried  Captain  Der- 
mot, excitedly.  "Come  on,  boys.  We 
shall  soon  overtake  him." 

"Hold  on,  captain!"  exclaimed  the 
flaxen  -  haired  soldier  who  had  ridden 
nearer  to  the  house  than  any  of  the 
others,  "here  is  something  that  tells  a 
story  if  I'm  not  mistaken." 

As  he  spoke  he  raised  on  the  point  of 
his  gun  where  it  had  lain  by  the  door  a 
tine  silk  handkerchief. 

Mara  uttered  a  low  exclamation  of 
dismay. 

Quickly  holding  the  handkerchief  up 
tot  lie  gaze  of  the  others  they  read  the 
letters  "C.  R."  embroidered  in  one  cor- 
ner. 

"  They  mean  Curtis  Remington — Cav- 
alry Curt,"  said  the  soldier  with  a  smile 
of  triumph.  "  He  must  have  dropped  it 
there." 

"  And  can't  be  far  away  himself." 

"Perhaps  he  is  hiding  in  this  vicinity 
now." 

"  More  than  likely.  Miss  Morland,  you 
have  deceived  us." 

"Captain  Dermot,"  said  Mark  with 
quivering  lips,    "do  you   doubt  my  lov~ 


alty?  I  would  rather  die  than  betray 
the  cause  my  brother  has  so  nobly  es- 
poused." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it,"  replied  the  Con- 
federate, "but  we  must  find  that  ac- 
cursed spy  if  possible.  General  Johnston 
has  offered  a  thousand  dollars  to  the 
man  who  captures  him.  You  will  not 
object  to  our  searching  your  buildings?" 

"No — no.  But  is  it  necessary?  Grand- 
pa is  away.  Can't  you  wait  until  he  re- 
turns." 

"  Delays  are  dangerous.  Besides  Cav- 
alry Curt  is  no  ordinary  man.  We  must 
not  waste  anymore  time.  Stand  aside. 
Miss  Morland,  and  let  us  begin  our  dis- 
agreeable task." 

She  saw  that  it  was  madness  to  offer 
further  opposition. 

Leaving  half  his  number  to  guard  the 
buildings  and  see  that  no  one  escaped, 
Captain  Dermot  with  the  others  began  a 
search  for  the  fugitive  scout. 

t'  Here  is  blood  upon  the  stairs!"  cried 
the  sharp-eyed  soldier  who  had  discov- 
ered the  tell-tale  handkerchief.  "He 
must  have  been  wounded;  he  has  gone 
this  way." 

"You're  a  brick,  Logan!"  exclaimed 
Captain  Dermot,  leaping  up  the  stairs 
three  at  a  time,  "  follow  me,  boys,  and 
we'll  run  the  fox  to  his  den.  Ha!  here  is 
more  blood!" 

Mara's  hopes  fell  as  she  heard  the  start- 
ling words. 

She  had  taken  a  great  interest  in  the 
stranger  scout  and  wished  that  he  might 
escape. 

Again  it  might  fare  ill  with  them  were 
he  found  on  their  premises. 

She  heard  the  horde  enter  the  very 
room  in  which  the  scout  was  concealed. 

Her  heart  almost  ceased  its  beating. 

With  trembling  steps  she  ascended  the 
stairs. 

She  was  met  on  the  second  floor  by  the 
Confederate  captain. 

"We  don't  find  the  hound,"  he  mut- 
tered.    "  But  he  can't  be  far  away.'' 

"  Then  as  a  baleful  light  flashed  from 
his  piercing  eyes  he  cried: 

"  Mara  Morland,  you  know  where 
he  is!" 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  FEARFUL  ALTERNATIVE. 

The  accusation  was  so  sudden  that 
she  starced  back  with  an  exclamation  of 
terror. 

"And  you  shall  be  made  to  tell!"  he 
continued,  fiercely,  seizing  her  rudely  by 
the  shoulder. 

"Back,  ruffian!"  she  cried,  with  flash- 
ing eyes,  breaking  from  his  clutch. 


c 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"  Don't  let  her  escape!"  commanded 
Captain  Dermot.  "She  is  in  league  with 
the  Yankee  dog." 

At  that  moment  a  loud  commotion  in 
the  hall  below  caught  their  attention. 

"  What's  up?"  cried  Dermot  running 
to  the  head  of  the  stairs. 

"We've  got  the  old  man;  but  he  fit 
like  a  wild-cat." 

"Bring  him  up  here  at  once."" 

In  spite  of  his  resistance  Caleb  Morland 
was  dragged  up  the  stairs. 

"What  means  this  treatment,  Captain 
Dermot?"  said  the  old  man,  as  soon  as  he 
could  speak. 

"  No  harm  to  you,  colonel.  Perhaps 
the  boys  are  a  little  rough  though.  Re- 
lease him,  boys." 

"  There,  colonel  you  are  a  free  man. 
We  are  in  search  of  a  Yankee  spy  who  is 
hiding  somewhere  on  your  premises." 

"A  Yankee  spy  hiding  on  my  premises!" 
repeated  Colonel  Morland  in  amazement. 
"Impossible,  Captain  Dermot."  « 

"  Pardon  me,  colonel,  but  it  is  even  'o. 
We  saw  him  come  this  way,  and  what 
better  evidence  do  you  want  than  that, 
picked  up  at  your  door,"  said  the  Con- 
federate, triumphantly,  displaying  the 
handkerchief  dropped  by  the  scout. 

"  He  is  Cavalry  Curt,  the  most  danger- 
ous man  in  Sherman's  army." 

"  I  have  heard  of  him,"  acknowledged 
the  old  man,  huskily.  "But  you  must 
be  mistaken  in  thinking  that  he  is  here. 
I  have  only  been  out  of  the  house  a  few 
minutes,  and  surely  you  do  not  doubt 
my  loyalty  enough  to  think  that  I  would 
give  protection  to  one  of  Abe  Lincoln's 
spies?" 

The  old  man  showed  great  emotion 
and  his  tone  was  one  of  honesty. 

"No — no;  not  you,  colonel.  But — 
young  ladies  are  sometimes  rashly  in- 
fluenced by  a  good-looking  stranger," 
and  he  looked  at  Mara  who  was  a  silent 
spectator. 

Colonel  Morland  caught  the  mean- 
ing of  that  look;  at  least  he  exclaimed: 

"Explain  yourself,  Captain  Dermot." 

"Ask  the  young  lady  if  she  has  seen 
the  man  we  are  in  quest  of,"  he  replied. 

"Mara,  have  you  seen  Cavalry  Curt?" 
questioned  her  grandparent. 

"Grandpa,"  and  she  spoke  quite  calmly, 
"I  cannot  answer  that  question,  for  I  do 
not  know  Cavalry  Curt,  I  have  told  Cap- 
tain Dermot  that  a  man  answering  to  his 
description  was  here  this  mominjr.  He 
came  here  soon  after  you  left  me.  Where 
he  is  now  I  cannot  "tell.  Were  Captain 
Dermot  a  gentleman  he  would  not  trouble 
us  further. 

"Ha — ha!  you  see  how  it  is,  captain. 
Y"ou  have  no  reason  to  doubt  our  loyalty, 
I  hope  you  will  capture  the  Yankee  dog. 


Were  I  not  so  old  I  would  join  you  in  the 
search . 

"Bah!  Colonel  Morland,  you  jump  to  a 
hasty  conclusion.  It  is  not  your  loyalty 
that  we  doubt,  but  the  girl's!  We  know 
the  Y'ankee  dog  is  in  this  house!" 

The  other  started  with  a  look  of  amaze- 
ment. 

"  I  am  sure  that  you  are  mistaken, 
captain;  and  to  prove  my  sincerity  I  give 
you  permission  to  search  my  buildings  as 
much  as  you  like." 

"  That  we  must  do,  colonel,  and  shall 
level  them  to  the  earth  but  we  will  find 
them. 

"  Logan  and  Andrews,  see  that  the  old 
man  and  the  girl  do  not  leave  this  room. 
The  rest  of  you  continue  the  search, 

"A  sorry  day  it  will  be  for  you,  colonel, 
if  we  find  that  spy  on  your  premises." 

Completely  overcome,  the  old  man 
bowed  his  head  in  silence. 

Mara,  too.  was  speechless. 

Fifteen  minutes  later  the  Confederates 
gathered  around  them. 

Captain  Dermot's  swarthy  face  looked 
blacker  than  ever. 

"  I  t's  no  use  wasting  time  in  that  way," 
he  muttered. 

"  Mara  Morland,  you  know  where  that 
spy  is  hiding,  and,  by  heavens,  you  shall 
tell  us  or  we  will  tear  this  house  down 
over  your  heads." 

It  was  a  fearful  moment  to  the  maiden. 

"Spare  us,"  she  implored.  "  We  are 
loyal  yet." 

"  Will  you  tell  us  where  Cavalry  Curt 
is  hiding?" 

"  I  cannot!" 

"You  lie.  Colonel  Morland,  do  you  up- 
hold her  in  this  scheme?" 

"No--no.  Mara,  if  you  know  where 
the  spy  is  secreted  tell  him  and  spare  us 
further  trouble." 

"Grandpa,  are  we  to  submit  to  his  in- 
solence? I  would  that  my  brother  were 
here." 

"So  do  I,  my  child." 

"  He  may  learn  of  this  sooner  than  you 
will  wish,"  retorted  Captain  Dei-mot, 
fiercely. 

"Duty  compels  me  to  do  what  is  far 
from  pleasant.  Colonel  Morland,  consider 
yourself  our  prisoner.  Buck  Logan,  see 
that  he  is  securely  bound." 

"That  I  will,  captain." 

"Oh,  no— -no  !"  cried  Mara.  Spare 
him." 

In  spite  of  her  entreaties  and  his  strug- 
gles, Caleb  Morland  was  quickly  seized 
and  bound. 

"  Now  a  piece  of  rope,  men.  I'll  see  if 
they  can't  be  brought  to  terms." 

The  rope  was  quickly  forthcoming. 

"Make  a  slipping  noose  in  one  end  and 
put  it  around  the  old  man's  neck.    There, 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


J 


that's  it.  Now,  Mara  Morland,  tell  us 
where  that  infernal  Yankee  is  hiding1,  or 
your  grandfather  swings  from  that  win- 
dow within  one  minute!" 


CHAPTER  V. 
AS  BRAVE  AS  SHE  WAS  BEAUTIFUL. 

It  was  a  startling  tableau. 

Colonel  Morland  looked  pale  and  fear- 
ful. There  was  no  pity  in  the  looks  of 
his  captors.  Though  used  to  scenes  of 
war,  and  he  had  served  through  the 
struggle  of  1813,  he  was  at  a  loss  to  ac- 
count for  his  present  treatment. 

Mara,  on  whom  the  dark  eyes  of  Cap- 
tain Dermot  were  fixed,  turned  pale, 
though  she  did  not  lose  her  self-posses- 
sion. 

"Girl,"'  he  exclaimed,  tersely,  "where 
have  you  secreted  that  spy?" 

"  I  deny  your  right  to  question  me," 
she  replied  with  flashing  eyes. 

A  sardonic  smile  rested  on  his  thin 
lips. 

"Answer  my  question  at  once,  girl,  or 
the  old  man  shall  hang.  Then  we  will 
tear  the  house  down  but  we  will  find  him. 
Men,  I'll  give  her  ten  seconds  to  decide, 
and  then  if  she  persist  in  her  madness 
drag  the  old  scoundrel  to  the  window 
where  he  shall  hang " 

"  Never!"  cried  the  clear,  sharp  voice 
of  the  brave  girl.  "Dare  to  harm  him 
and  you  die,  Captain  Dermot!" 

She  had  suddenly  drawn  a  pistol,  and 
its  gleaming  muzzle  stared  the  Confeder- 
ate chief  in  the  face. 

He  started  back  with  a  crv  of  terror. 

Her  beautiful  countenance  shone  with 
excitement,  but  she  gave  no  evidence  of 
fear. 

Her  tone  was  cahn  and  measured  as 
she  said: 

"  You  see  that  I  am  in  earnest,  Captain 
Dermot,  and  the  first  move  that  is  made 
signs  your  doom.  I  have  undertaken  to 
save  the  life  of  Curtis  Remington  and  I 
will  do  it  though  it  costs  me  my  own." 

A  murmur  of  admiration  went  up  from 
the  spectators. 

Before  it  had  died  away  a  crash  was 
heard  in  the  room  and  a  portion  of  one 
of  the  walls  fell  to  the  floor. 

The  next  moment,  to  the  amazement 
of  the  Confederates,  Cavalry  Curt  stood 
in  their  presence. 

"  I  cannot  allow  this  to  continue,1' he 
said,  firmly. 

"Miss  Morland,  you  have  my  heartfelt 
thanks  for  your  interference  in  my  be- 
half. But  I  will  relieve  you  of  all  further 
anxiety.  Captain  Dermot,  since  it  is  me 
that  you  want,  I  will  surrender  upon  two 
conditions." 


A  wicked  smile  played  upon  the  dark 
visage  of  the  latter. 

No  one  in  the  room  was  more  surprised 
at  the  scout's  appearance  than  Colonel 
Morland. 

"What  are  those  conditions,  pray,  Sir 
Yank?"  sneered  Dermot. 

"First,  that  you  leave  these  people  in 
peace.  They  are  not  to  blame  for  my 
presence  here.  Second,  that  I  shall  be 
treated  as  a  prisoner  of  war." 

"  Of  course  we  intend  to  do  all  that  you 
have  asked.  So  you  will  surrender? 
Men " 

"Hold!  not  too  fast.  Remember  that 
I  am  not  in  your  hands  yet." 

"I  should  like  to  know  what  stands 
between  us." 

"  Your  life!"  was  the  cool  reply. 

"  Have  done  with  this  fooling.  Do  yon 
surrender  or  not?  Girl,  be  careful  how 
you  handle  that  pistol." 

"  You  promise  that  these  people  shall 
not  be  disturbed,  sir?" 

"I  do." 

"  And  that  you  will  take  me  to  your 
headquarters  before  your  commander?" 

"Ot  course." 

"  Then  I  give  myself  up  as  a  prisoner 
of  war." 

It  required  no  second  bidding. for  the 
soldiers  to  secure  so  valuable  a  captive, 
and  a  minute  later  Cavalry  Curt  was  in 
the  power  of  his  foes. 

Colonel  Morland  had  been  freed,  so 
that  he  breathed  easier. 

Mara  looked  on  in  silence,  and  though 
she  had  lowered  the  weapon  she  still  held 
it  in  her  hand. 

"I  hope  you  will  lose  nothing  by  your 
conduct  to-day,"  said  Captain  Dermot, 
more  in  mockery,  we  suspect,  than  sin- 
cerity. 

She  offered  no  reply. 

"  Come,  men,"  he  continued,  "  we  can 
aflord  to  start  for  headquarters  now.  We 
have  done  a  good  day's  work." 

"Good-day,  Colonel  Morland;  I  am 
sorry  for  the  treatment  we  were  forced  to 
give  you,  but  it  may  learn  you  a  lesson." 

A  minute  later  the  party  were  mount- 
ing their  horses. 

Curt  had  whispered  a  kind  good-bjTe 
to  her  who  had  so  nobly  defended  him, 
as  his  captors  bore  him  out  of  the  room. 

"Never  fear  for  me,"  he  said.  " I  am  a 
soldier  who  is  not  afraid  to  die.  Give  my 
regards  to  Plal  when  you  see  him." 

She  would  fain  have  spoken  to  him, 
but  the  Confederate  chief  pushed  her 
rudely  aside  as  he  hurried  past. 

She  stood  at  the  window  watching  the 
cavalcade  in  their  preparations  to  start, 
while  in  spite  of  herself  tears  came  into 
her  eyes. 

Buck  Logan  returned   to  the  room  for 


8 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


something  he  had  forgotten,  or  at  least 
pretended  to  have  left. 

Mara  turned  at  the  sound  of  his  foot- 
steps. 

"What,  in  tears!"  he  exclaimed  in  sur- 
prise. "  I  thought  you  were  too  brave  a 
girl  for  that." 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Logan,  what  will  they  do 
with  him?" 

"  He  is  a  spy  and  will  have  to  meet  the 
fate  of  a  spy,  I  sappose.  But  1  did  not 
know  he  was  your  friend,  Mara — Miss 
Morland." 

"  I  never  saw  him  until  today,  but  he 
was  a  friend  to  Harry.  He  seems  like  a 
noble  man." 

"  Well  enough  I  dare  say.  But  do  not 
let  your  sympathy  rob  you  of  your  reason. 
The  boys  are  starting  and  I  must  not  de- 
lay longer.  I  hope  to  see  you  again 
soon." 

He  had  taken  one  of  her  hands  in  his 
and  pressing  it  to  his  lips,  he  hastily  left 
the  room. 

"  Mara,  I  don't  understand  this,"  said 
Colonel  Morland,  turning  to  her  as  the 
horsemen  rode  away  with  the  captive 
scout  in  their  midst. 

Not  without  some  confusion  did  she 
tell  him  of  the  morning's  adventures. 

Half  an  hour  later  she  laid  her  hand 
on  his  shoulder  saying: 

"  Grandpa,  I  am  going  to  Dalton." 

"To  Dalton?"  he  echoed.  "  What  for, 
my  child?" 

"  To  save,  if  possible,  the  life  of  Curtis 
Remington." 

"  Nay,  nay,  child;  you  are  insane  now, 
to  think  of  it." 

Wild  and  impracticable  as  the  venture 
seemed  then,  succeeding  events  not  only 
made  it  possible  but  feasible  and  imper- 
ative as  well;  of  this  more  anon. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

TO    DIE    AT  ONCE  . 

General  J.  E.  Johnston,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Confederate  forces  in 
Georgia,  at  the  head  of  forty-five  thous- 
and men,  was  intrenched  at  Dalton,  lying 
in  wait  for  the  advancing  troops  of  Sher- 
man, then  marching  into  this  stronghold 
of  the  Confederacy  from  Chattanooga. 

The  last  Confederate  gunboat  had  been 
driven  from  the  Mississippi  and  the  great 
basin  of  the  south  and  west  was  safe  in 
Union  keeping. 

The  great  strength  of  the  South  now, 
was  its  inland  armies,  which  were  fed  by 
the  granaries  and  supported  by  the  fac- 
tories of  Georgia. 

Here  were  the  great  grain  growing 
prairies  which  afforded  the  sustenance 
that  an  army  requires 


In  the'heart  of  the  state,  the  center  of 
a  net -work  of  manufacturing  cities 
and  villages,  was  Atlanta,  from  which 
the  army  was  supplied  with  powder, 
shot — in  fact,  all  the  appertenances  of 
war.  , 

Through  Macon  and  Atlanta  ran  the 
great  railroad  lines  between  the  eastern 
and  the  western  Confederacy. 

Georgia  then  was  the  Confederate 
stronghold. 

To  rend  it  assunder  from  mountain  to 
sea  as  had  been  done  in  the  Mississippi 
was  the  next  work  of  the  Northern 
troops. 

The  man  called  upon  to  undertake  this 
herculian  task  was  Sherman. 

He  had  just  performed  his  superb 
inarch  of  four  1  'indred  miles  from  Vicks- 
burg  to  Chattanooga  and  added  to  this 
another  hundred  miles  to  Knoxville  in 
season  to  relieve  Burnside. 

At  the  head  of  one'  hundred  thousand 
men  he  was  now  at  Ringgold,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  mountain,  in  direct  line  with 
Dalton  and  Atlanta  biding  his  time  of 
action. 

To  follow  the  fortunes  of  Cavalry  Curt, 
however,  we  must  go  to  the  Confederate 
headquarters. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  that 
witnessed  the  scout's  capture,  General 
Johnston,  in  company  with  subordinate 
officers,  was  in  his  tent  busily  examining 
a  lot  of  charts  and  papers  that  lay  before 
him. 

"  They  are  still  impatient  at  Richmond 
for  me  to  begin  the  offensive,"  said  the 
commander  after  a  pause,  as  he  looked 
up  from  the  documents,  and  reading  for 
the  third  time  the  latest  dispatch  from 
the  Confederate  capital.  "But  I  am  no 
better  prepared  to  do  it  than  when  I  first 
declined  to  do  so  last  Christmas.  Their 
plans  look  well  enough  on  paper,  but  put 
into  actual  practice  must  fail.  Sherman's 
army  more  than  double  ours  in  number, 
and  then  he  is  fortified  at  the  very  apex 
of  the  two  entrances  into  Georgia.  The 
moment  that  I  advance  on  either  hand 
our  rear  is  open  to  his  attack.  Once  our 
supplies  from  Atlanta  are  cut  off,  we  are 
lost.  No,"  he  continned  thoughtfully, 
slowly  shaking  his  head,  "  1  dare  not  take 
the  risk.  Our  wisest  course  is  to  draw 
the  northern  forces  on  as  near  to  Atlanta 
as  possible  before  we  engage  in  regular 
battle  with  them.     I  am  anxious "' 

He  was  interrupted  in  the  midst  of  his 
speech  by  the  sound  of  a  body  of  horse- 
men passing  the  tent. 

"It  is  Captain  Dermot's  scouting 
squad."    exclaimed  one. 

"And  see,  he  has  a  prisoner,"  added 
another.  "  I  truly  believe  it  is  the  devil 
he  went  in  quest  of." 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


9 


"  Orderly,  here;  stop  Captain  Dermot. 
I  wish  to  speak  to  him." 

Captain  Dermot,  proud  of  his  day's 
work,  was  only  too  glad  to  meet  his 
superior,  and  he  saluted  him  with  an  air 
of  triumph. 

"You  have  returned  sooner  than  we 
expected,  Captain  Dermot.  Whom  have 
you  there?" 

"Cavalry  Curt,  General  Johnston." 
"  Sherman's  spy?" 

"The  same,  general.  The  identical 
person,  too,  who  was  in  our  midst  yester- 
day disguised  as  a  Quaker  farmer,  and 
who  made  such  a  daring  ride  for  free- 
dom. 

&  "We  tracked  him  to  the  mountain,  and 
this  morning  succeeded  in  effecting  his 
capture,  though  I  will  say  he  is  a  good 
fighter." 

"You  have  done  well,  Captain  Dermot, 
and  nobly  won  the  commsssion  promised 
you  for  his  capture." 

"  Many  thanks,  General  Johnston,"  re- 
plied the  elated  officer  bowing  low. 
"And  if  I  maybe  so  bold  I  would  rec- 
ommend my  friend,  Sergeant  Logan,  as 
deserving  of  favor.  We  owe  our  success 
in  a  great  measure  to  him." 

"I  will  remember  your  suggestion, 
major,"  giving  the  other  for  the  first  time» 
his  new  rank. 

"  So  this  is  Cavalry  Curt,"  he  continued, 
turning  to  the  prisoner.  "  Ah,  you  hardly 
look  like  the  reckless  dare-devil  you  have 
been  pictured;  but  from  your  present 
appearance  I  can  see  that  you  have  been 
sorely  driven.  I  suppose  you  realize 
your  situation." 

"Better  perhaps  than  you,  general," 
replied  Curt  speaking,  for  the  first  time, 
his  cool,  measured  tone  sending  a  thrill 
through  the  frames  of  his  listeners. 

"You  are  too  brave  a  man  to  belong  to 
the  cause  you  have  espoused,"  continued 
the  Confederate  commander.  "Let  me 
give  you  a  chance  to  see  yonder  sun  set." 
"  General  Johnston,"  said  the  scout, 
quickly,  comprehending  the  other's 
meaning,  "I  am  brave  enough  to  meet 
death  but  not  brave  enough  to  betray 
my  country." 

"  My  faith,  but  I  like  your  appearance 
much.      You  shall    have    a    commission 

if " 

"  Pardon  me,  general,  but  here  is  a 
dispatch  for  you  and  a  courier  awaits 
your  pleasure." 

The  commander  took  the  packet  from 
his  orderly's  hand,  and  with  a  nervous 
hand  broke  the  seal, 

"Sherman's  army  is  on  the  move,"  he 
muttered  under  his  breath.  "  Thomas  is 
on  a  march  to  Buzzard's  Gap.  At  last  the 
campaign  has  opened  and  the  time  for 
more    decisive  action  on  our    part    has 


come.  Colonel  Markham,"  turning  to 
one  of  his  subordinates,  "  I  leave  the 
fate  of  the  prisoner  in  your  hands. 
More  important  duties  engage  my  at- 
tention. Have  ten  men  detailed  from 
your  regiment  placed  under  charge  of  a 
competent  officer  who  shall  see  that  the 
prisoner  immediately  meets  the  fate  of  a 
spy.  Remember,  colonel,  immediately; 
for  we  know  not  how  soon  we  may  be 
obliged  to  move.  Sherman  has  begun 
work." 

"  I  will  see  that  your  orders  are  carried 
out  to  the  letter,  general." 


CHAPTER    VII. 


PUT     TO     T  H . 


TESt  . 


Captain  Morland  was  alone  :o  hi»  r«n<v 
when  an  orderly  appeared  at  the  door 
and  handed  him  a  p^per. 

We  need  not  be  told  ch&,t  he  is  Mara 
Morland's  brother;  there  is  a  strong  like- 
ness between  the  two. 

He  is  a  manly -looking  fellow  who  has 
entered  heart  and  soul  into  the  struggle 
for  tfce  Southern  cause.  He  has  already 
sefen  much  of  hard  service  and  is  ready 
tor  more.    . 

Tearing  opdn  the  paper  he  read: 

Headquarters  op  ) 

Fifth  Georgia  Inf.,  C.  S   A.,  > 
May  6th,  1864.  ) 

11  Captain  Morland: — Report  to  me  at 
my  quarters  with  a  detail  of  ten  men  as  * 
soon  as  possible. 

"Philip  Markham,  Colonel." 

"  I  wonder  what  is  up  now,"  he  mused, 
preparing  at  once  to  obey  his  orders. 
"Something  unusual  I  am  certain  that 
he  summons  me  rather  that  Lieutenant 
Dodge.  J 

His  curiosity  well  aroused,  Captain 
Morland  acted  very  promptly. 

"On  hand  with  your  usual  alacrity, 
captain,"  greeted  his  superior.  ,  "  I  have 
a  delicate  task  on  call  else  I  should  not 
have  selected  you.  You  see  our  men 
have  captured  a  troublesome  fellow 
called  Cavalry  Curt,  one  of  Sherman's 
spies.  He  is  to  be  shot  at  sunset  and  the 
unpleasant  duty  has  been  assigned  to 
you.  See  that  there  is  no  blunder  in  the 
proceedings.  You  will  find  him  under 
guard  down  at  the  lower  barracks.  As 
soon  as  it  is  over  report  to  me.  By  the 
way  news  have  come  that  Sherman  is  be- 
ginning hostilities.  It  looks  as  if  we 
might  be  called  to  the  front  at  any  mo- 
ment. It  is  no  time  to  harbor  spies. 
Captain  Morland,  your  duty  is  plain.  I 
trust  we  can  depend  upon  you  for  the 
work." 


10 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"You  can,  Colonel  Markhain,  though 
I  wish  some  one  else  might  have  been  se- 
lected." 

At  the  head  of  his  squad  Captain  Mor- 
land  repaired  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  the 
lower  barracks,  to  find  the  guard  with 
the  prisoner  anxiously  awaiting  his  ar- 
rival. 

"  Is  everything  in  readiness,  sergeant, 
asked  the  captain,  "we  ^have  no  time  to 
spare.1' 

"A  grave  has  been  dug  and  there  is  no 
need  for  further  delays.  I  resign  the 
prisoner  into  your  hands,  Captain  Mor- 
land." 

"Very  well;  place  the  prisoner  at  the 
edge  of  the  pit  and  measure  off  twenty 
yards.  We  must  have  this  over  as  soon 
as  possible." 

Cavalry  Curt  sent  a  swift  glance  upon 
the  Confederate  captain  as  he  spoke,  and 
a  low  groan  escaped  his  lips. 

The  next  instant  he  turned  his  face 
away  as  if  watching  the  setting  sun. 

He  had  recognized  his  former  friend 
but  the  discovery  only  seemed  to  make 
his  fate  harder  to  bear. 

"I  hope  Hal  won't  recognize  me,"  he 
thought.  "  It  will  only  make  his  duty 
the  more  difficult  to  perform." 

Those  who  heard  his  groan  attributed 
its  utterance  to  a  different  cause  than 
that  which  produced  it. 

"  So  your  courage  begins  to  fail  you," 
said  one  of  those  whose  duty  it  was  to 
remove  him  to  the  fated  post.  "  Well  it 
it  will  soon  be  over.  Will  you  be  blind- 
folded?" 

"No— yes." 

Cavalry  Curt  uttered  the  affirmative 
when  the  thought  occurred  to  him  that 
it  would  serve  to  hide  his  face. 

But  his  voice  had  betrayed  him. 

Captain  Morland  turned  his  searching 
gaze  upon  him  and  their  eyes  met. 

"Curt  Remington!" 

"Hal  Morland!" 

It  was  a  strange  meeting  for  old 
friends. 

The  scout,  was  the  first  to  recover  bis 
self-possession. 

"  1  hoped  you  wouldn't  recognize  me, 
Hal.  But  do  your  duty.  It  is  a  poo. 
soldier  who  is  afraid  to  die." 

"No— no!  not  that,  Curt.  My  God,  I 
did  not  dream  of  this.  I  have  not  forgot 
the  debt  that  I  owe  you."  How  came 
you  here?" 

"  I  was  caught  as  a  spy.  But  see,  the 
sun  is  setting.  You  jeopardize  your  own 
life  by  this  delay.  Once  more  1  ask  you 
to  do  your  duty." 

Captain  Morland  made  a  few  swift 
passes  which  were  quickly  answered  by 
the  other. 

"  That  settles  it,"  he  exclaimed  with  a 


lighter  countenance.  "There  isn't  power 
enough  in  the  South  to  compel  me  to  do 
this  deed." 

Turning  to  the  wondering  soldiers  he 
said: 

"  Boys,  that  man  is  a  Freemason.  So 
am  1.  They  may  do  what  they  will  to 
me,  but  I  cannot  see  this  work  go  on.  I 
am  bound  by  an  oath  that  1  cannot 
break  to  harm  no  one  of  the  fraternity. 
Someone  else  must  finish  this  work.  For 
the  present  I  order  him  to  the  guard- 
bouse.  See  that  he  does  not  escape.  -J 
will  report  to  headquarters." 

With  a  few  passes  made  to  the  eaptive 
scout,  which  the  others  of  course  did  not 
understand,  he  wheeled  and  started  for 
the  colonel's  tent. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  Captain 
Morland's  feeling  as  he  presented  himself 
to  his  superior. 

"What,  have  you  got  over  with  it  as 
soon  as  this,  captain.  1  think  you  have 
outdone  yourself  this  time." 

"And  you  will  have  great  reason  for 
thinking  so,  Colonel  Markham,  when  I 
ask  to  be  released  from  this  work,  as 
Ida" 

"  Wish  to  be  released  from  the  work?" 
exclaimed  the  other.  "  I  never  knew 
you  to  shirk  from  a  duty  before.  Captain 
Morland.  It  was  for  that  very  reason  I 
selected  you  of  all  others. 

"Thank  you,  colonel,  but  for  once  I 
must  prove  faithless  to  your  trust,  even 
though  I  lose  my  coiuinission  by  it.  I 
am  sorry  it  has  happened." 

"Explain  yourself,"  was  the  impatient 
rejoiner. 

"  The  prisoner  is  a  Freemason  and  so 
am  1.     My  oath  forbids '  ' 

"Oh!  ho!  so  that  is  it.  I  see — I  see!" 
exclaimed  the  astonished  colonel  "  We 
can  make  that  all  right,  eaptaiu.  I  feared 
it  was  something  else.' 

"I  trust  my  loyalty  is  above  suspicion, 
colonel  " 

"  So  it  is;  on  my  faith,  it  is.  But  what 
have  you  done  with  the  prisoner?*' 

"  I  ordered  him  to  the  guardhouse  to 
be  kept  under  strict  surveilhuice. 

"  You  did  right.  He  will  be  safe  there 
until  moruing.  He  shall  be  attended  to 
then.  I  have  just  received  an  important 
notice  from  headquarters.  Our  brigade 
has  been  ordered  to  the  relief  at  Buz- 
zard's Gap  and  we  are  likely  to  receive 
marching  orders  at  any  moment.  It 
looks  as  though  we  were  iu  for  hot 
work." 

"  Anything  to  break  the  monotony  of 
this  c;ujjp  life,"  exclaimed  Morland,  "  but 
1  have  a  little  business  to  look  after,  so 
you  must  excuse  me,  colonel." 

"  Certainly;  only  see  that  the  boys  are 
in  readiness  tor  a  start.     Good-evening." 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


11 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CAPTAIN  MORLAND   AGAIN  SURPRISED. 

"Some  one  to  see  yon,  Captain  Mor- 
land,"  was  the  greeting  he  received  upon 
reaching  his  tent. 

Entering  he  saw  a  person  standing  in 
the  center  of  the  apartment  as  if  anx- 
iously awaiting  his  coming. 

"Captain  Morland,  I  believe,"  said  the 
visitor. 

"At  your  service,  sir.  I  do  not  recog- 
nize you  in  the  darkness,  though  your 
voice  has  a  familiar  ring.'' 

"I  would  see  you  alone  a  few  minutes, 
captain." 

"Very  well;  I  will  give  directions  not 
to  be  disturbed.  I  will  be  back  in  a  mo- 
ment." 

He  soon  returned  closing  the  tent 
opening  behind  him. 

"  Will  you  please  make  know  your  er- 
rand?" 

"Is  it  possible,  brother,"  said  the  other 
lowly,  "that  my  disguise  is  so  complete 
you  do  not  recognize  me?" 

Had  a  cannon-ball  dropped  at  his  feet 
Captain  Morland  could  not  have  been 
more  surprised. 

"What!  Mara!  you  here?" 

"Hush!  don't  speak  niy  name." 

"But  what  does  this  mean?  What  has 
happened?" 

Unheeding  his  questions  she  asked, 
catching  him  by  the  arm: 

"Oh.  Harry!  have  you  seen  him?  Am 
I  too  late?" 

Again  he  started  with  surprise,  but  in 
a  moment  he  comprehended  her  mean- 
ing. 

"You  refer  to  Curtis  Remington.  I 
have  s,eeu  him." 

"  And— and  he  lives?" 

Her  tone  was  hardly  audible. 

"Yes." 

' '  1  am  so  glad.     Is  he  safe?" 

"  Until  morning." 

"  He  must  be  saved!" 

"Alas!  I  fear  it  is  impossible.  But 
tell  me  how  you  came  here.  I  am  in  a 
fog." 

In  a  few  words  she  told  of  the  morn- 
ing's adventure;  and  then  how  she,  dis- 
guised, had  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
place  after  running  the  gantlet  of  de- 
tection. 

"  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  do  something  to 
save  him.  I  feared  you  would  not  know 
of  his  being  here.     So  I  have  come." 

"  But  you  have  run  a  fearful  risk." 

"Do  not  speak  of  that.  But  tell  me 
what  can  be  done  for  him." 

Captain  Morland  quickly  acquainted 
her  with  the  ijarticulars  of  the  postponed 
execution. 

"  It  is  an  unpleasant  turn  of  affairs," 


he  said  in  conclusion,  "  but  no  more  than 
one  must  be  prepared  to  meet  in  the  fort- 
unes of  war.  Curt  is  a  spy  and  a  dreaded 
foe  to  our  cause.  I  love  him  as  a  brother, 
but  am  powerless  to  help  him.  God 
knows  I  would  gladly  save  him  if  I 
could." 

She  wrung  her  hands  in  agony. 

"  And  you  are  sure  that  he  will  be  shot 
to-morrow?" 

"  As  certain  as  I  am  that  the  sun  will 
rise.  But,  Mara,  this  is  weak  in  you. 
He  is  not  the  only  one " 

"I  know — I  know,  brother.  But  I— I 
love  him!  I  am  willing  to  give  my  life 
to  save  him!" 

She  reeled  to  and  fro  as  if  she  would 
fall. 

"  This  is  weak  in  you,  Mara,"  he  said, 
folding  her  to  his  breast.  "  Come,  put 
him  from  your  mind;  and  in  the  morning 
you  must  return  home.  Giraud father- 
hark!  there  is  the  bugle-call.  We  have 
had  marching  orders.  I  must  go.  Our 
brigade  is  ordered  to  Buzzard's  trap." 

Pressing  a  hurried  kiss  upon  her  brow, 
he  gently  put  her  from  him. 

"It  is  hard  to  leave  you,  but  I  must. 
Stay  here  to-night  and  start  for  home  in 
the  morning,"  he  said.  "You  will  be 
careful  of  yourself,  Mara,  won't  you?" 

"  Yes,  yes,  Harry.  Oh,  this  is  dread- 
ful." 

"  Be  brave— ha!  I  mustn't  tarry  longer. 
Good-bye." 

Another  kiss  and  he  was  gone. 

Mara  Morland  pressed  her  hands  to 
her  temples  is  a  dazed,  bewildered  state 
of  mind. 

Then  she  suddenly  started  up. 

".What  have  I  done?"  she  asked  herself. 
He  is  gone  and  I  have  told  him 
nothing.  God  forgive  me  that  I  should 
so  far  have  forgotten  my  duty.  These 
tears  ill  become  the  garb  that  I  wear.  I 
thought  that  I  had  more  self-control.  I 
wonder  if  he  is  gone?  He  said  to  Buz- 
zard's Gap.  That  is  a  part  of  Sherman's 
design.  His  plans  are  working  welK  I 
must  act  ere  it  is  too  late." 

While  speaking  thus  she  was  brushing 
the  tear  drops  from  hereyes. 

As  soon  as  she  had  somewhat  gained 
control  of  herself  she  peered  out  of  the 
tent. 

All  was  bustle  and  excitement. 

"  It  is  no  use  to  look  for  him  now.  I 
must  go  to  the  commander's  head- 
quarters." 

Acting  upon  this  thought  she  boldly 
left  the  tent. 

No  one  seemed  to  notice  her  and  she 
breathed  easier  as  she  hurried  on  her 
way. 

At  last  to  her  relief  the  quarters  of 
General  Johnston  was  reached. 


is 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


The  commander,  however,  was  very 
busy  and  she  had  to  wait  what  seemed 
to  her  a  long  time, 

She  was  glad  that  it  was  night  for  in 
the  semi-darkness  she  escaped  in  part 
the  scrutinous  gaze  of  the  lookers-on. 

'  •  Come,  there  is  no  time  to  spare  if  you 
must  speak  to  the  commander,1' exclaimed 
the  brusque  orderly  at  last. 

"General,  some  one  to  see  you  who 
will  not  take  'No  '  for  an  answer." 

With  high-beating  heart  Mara  ad- 
vanced into  the  presence  of  the  impa- 
tient chief. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MARA  MORLAND'S  MISSION. 

If  it  was  General  Johnston's  aim  to 
draw  the  Northern  troops  as  near  as 
possible  to  Atlanta  before  engaging  in 
the  culminating  battle,  General  Sherman, 
on  the  other  hand,  was  equally  as  anxious 
to  meet  his  foe  at  an  early  day  and  as 
far  from  the  Confederate  arsenal  as  it 
might  be.  Could  he  shatter  Johnston's 
army,  as  he  felt  confident  of  doing,  his 
march  to  the  sea  would  be  simply  a 
"  walk  over." 

The  great  mountain  system  of  East 
Tennessee  outstretched  like  a  giant  arm 
into  the  heart  of  the  Confederacy. 

Leaving  Chattanooga,  the  natural  bas- 
tian  on  the  lines  of  the  Georgian  com- 
munication, Sherman  paused  at  Ring- 
gold, and  from  this  place  inaugurated 
his  grand  strategic  movement. 

Through  Rocky  Face  Mountain  from 
the  latter  place  ran  a  narrow  ravine  af- 
fording the  only  passage  to  the  eastern 
valley,  on  the  one  hand,  and  along  whose 
rocky  bottom  wound  the  highway  and 
railroad  to  Dal  ton. 

At  the  mouth  of  this  valley,  called  Buz- 
zard's Roost  Gap,  Johnston  had  eretced 
strong  defenses  by  planting  his  batteries 
on  the  rockv  spurs  of  the  mountain  sides. 
To  make  his  position  doubly  certain  he 
had  flooded  the  ravine  by  dams  in  the 
creek. 

This  position  but  illustrated  Johnston's 
entire  situation,  and  Sherman's  practical 
eye  saw  that  to  drive  him  from  his 
craggy  citadel  he  must  make  a  detour  to 
the  south  and  cut  off  his  communication 
■with  Atlanta. 

This  task  was  assigned  to  McPherson. 

Thomas  meanwhile,  to  hold  the  Con- 
federates attention  in  that  direction, 
was  to  actually  storm  Buzzard's  Gap. 

Schotield  was  to  march  against  the 
enemy's  right  flank  thus  adding  to  the 
deception  of  Thomas'  attack. 

The  purpose  in  view,  however,  was  for 
McPherson   to    reach    Reseca,    a   place 


about  twenty  miles  south  of  Dalton,  and 
there  fall  upon  the  railroad  thus  cutting 
off  the  Confederate's  supplies. 

Intrenching  himself  there  McPher- 
son was  to  wage  war  upon  Johnston  in 
flank  until  he  would  be  obliged  to  turn 
to  grapple  with  him,  when  the  rear 
would  be  open  to  Thomas  and  Schofield. 

Johnston  had  received  ntelligence  of 
the  contemplated  attack  on  Buzzard's 
Gap  as  has  been  shown.  Sherman's  real 
intentions  were  as  yet  unknown  to  him. 

We  have  been  thus  particular  in  stat- 
ing the  situation  to  show  the  importance 
of  Mara  Morland's  mission  to  Johnston's 
quarters  on  that  evening. 

"  Well,  what  is  your  business,  sir?" 
asked  GeneraLJohnston,  without  looking 
up  from  the  chart  that  he  was  examining, 
as  Mara  in  her  disguise  stood  before  him. 

"Important,  sir,  if  I  mistake  not.  I 
am  the  bearer  of  a  message  from  Boyd 
Wyman." 

"Boyd  Wyman!"  exclaimed  the  "gen- 
eral quickly  looking  up.     Where  is  he?" 

"  At  the  home  of  Colonel  Morland, 
sir.     He  is  wounded  and  could  not  come." 

"So  that  accounts  for  his  continued 
absence.  I  sent  him  to  learn  if  possible 
Sherman's  projected  plans.  I  had  began 
to  fear  that  some  mischance  had  over- 
taken him." 

"  He  barely  escaped  with  his  life,  sir; 
and  reached  our  place  this  morning  un- 
able to  go  further.  Here  are  the  papers, 
sir,  he  requested  me  to  hand  you." 

General  Johnston  eagerly  took  the 
packet  and  tearing  it  open  was  soon 
perusing  its  contents. 

Mara  saw  his  countenance  change  as 
he  read  on,  and  the  hand  that  held  the 
paper  trembled. 

"Well,  well,"  he  broke  forth  ait  last, 
"  this  puts  a  new  phase  on  the  matter. 
Had  I  known  this  tan  hour  earlier  my 
plans  would  have  been  laid  differently. 
But  better  late  than  never.  We  have 
time  enough  to  reach  there.  Mr.  Mor- 
land, for  that  is  the  name  Wyman  gives 
you,  you  have  done  us  a  great  service. 
Any  favor  I  can  do  you?" 

"  I  would  like  a  pass,  sir,  so  that  I  can 
return  home." 

"Certainly,  and  bear  my  good  wishes 
to  Wyman. 

"  Thank  you.  And — and  if  it  is  not 
asking  too  much,"  stammered  Mara,  "I 
would  like  permission  to  visit  Curtis 
Remington,  the  captive  spy." 

Her  heart  seemed  to  stop  its  beating  as 
she  waited  for  his  reply. 

The  general  looked  up  with  a  frown. 

"  I  don't  know  about  that.  He  was  to 
have  been  shot  at  sunset,  but  some  one 
blundered.     Do  you  know  him?" 

"  I  knew  him  atone  time." 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


13 


"  I  Me  no  barm  io  granting  your  re- 
quest, and  in  consideration  of  the  service 
jrou  have  done  us,  I  will." 

Seizing  pen  and  paper  he  began  to  hur- 
riedly write. 

"Your  full  name,  please." 

"Mara  Morland." 

She  could  have  bitten  her  tongue  out 
forgiving  utterance  to  the  name.  But 
it  was  just  as  well.  "Mara"  seemed 
as  appropiate  for  a  man  as  a  woman. 

"There  you  are,"  declared  the  com- 
mander, handing  her  two  slips  of  paper; 
"good-evening." 

Glad  tojget  away  so  easy,  she  passed  out 
of  the  tent. 

Johnston,  now  familiar  with  the  ene- 
my's plans  immediately  held  a  council 
with  some  of  his  subordinate  officers. 

Leaving  him  to  prepare  for  a  meeting 
with  McPherson  at  Reseca  we  will  follow 
the  fortunes  of  Mara  Morland. 

The  uppermost  thought  in  her  mind 
now  was  to  rescue  Cavalry  Curt. 

No  one  knew  better  than  she  the  peril 
of  the  undertaking,  and  a  less  brave 
heart  would  have  shrunk  from  the  at- 
tempt. 

But  one  course  seemed  open  to  her  and 
she  resolved  to  carry  it  out. 

It  was  too  early  in  the  night,  however, 
for  the  work  to  be  begun  so  she  sauntered 
toward  her  brother's  tent,  watchful  of  all 
that  was  transpiring  around  her. 

Passing  one  of  the  camp-fires  she  heard 
loud  Voices,  and  coupled  with  other 
names  she  fancied  she  heard  her  own. 

Advancing  in  a  listless  manner  she  got 
within  hearing  without  attracting  at- 
tention. 

The  party  was  composed  of  a  portion 
of  Captain  Derinot's  scouting  squad. 

She  saw  Lieutenant  Logan,  easily  dis- 
tinguished by  his  long,  flaxen  hair  among 
them. 

He  was  speaking. 

She  held  her  breath  at  the  sound'of  his 
voice. 

"Yes,  she  is  true  grit  every  time.  I 
admired  her  spunk  and  I  didn't  like  her 
course  of  action." 

"  Think  she  is  spoony  on  the  Yank?" 

"  Looks  like  it.  But  I  tell  you  those 
Morlands  are  going  to  get  into  trouble,  if 
they  ain't  already,  over  that  spy.  The 
captain's  course  this  afternoon  was 
shameful." 

"S'pose  they'll' shoot  the  spy  in  the 
morning?1' 

"  Of  course;  and  I  should  like  the  job. 
Reckon  they  wouldn't  find  me  a  Free- 
mason—ha— ho!  That's  the  best  joke  I 
have  heard  lately." 

"  Is  it  true  the  colonel  has  sent  a  man 
up  to  old  Morland's?" 

"Yes;     he   smells   a   rat    somewhere. 


Leastways  the  major  does,  and  he  has 
put  him  up  to  it." 

"  By  the  way  the  captain  fills  his  new 
rank  well." 

Hearing  nothing  more  of  interest  to 
her,  Mara  finally  turned  away  to  seek 
Captain  Morland's  tent. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  WIZARD  SCOUT. 

As  Mara  came  in  sight  of  her  brother's 
tent  she  saw  some  one  pacing  slowly 
back  and  forth  before  its  entrance. 

Advancing  boldly  she  drew  nearer  un- 
til he  turned  at  the  sound  of  her  ap- 
proach and  pausing  in  his  beat  coolly 
faced  her. 

His  long,  flowing  hair  and  beard  was 
white  with  the  frosts  of  many  years. 

His  tall  form,  however,  gave  no  indi- 
cation of  the  weight  of  years  that  it 
bore. 

His  eyes,  too,  retained  all  the  fire  of 
youth.  Ay,  from  out  of  their  depths 
flashed  at  times  the  light  which  told 
plainly  of  the  slumbering  flame  of  in- 
sanity. 

"  I  knew  you  would  come  here,"  he 
said,  calmly. 

"But — I  do  not  know  you,"  exclaimed 
Mara  in  alarm,  glancing  toward  a  group 
of  soldiers  just  beyond. 

"Nor  need  you  marvel  at  that,"  re- 
plied the  stranger,  lowly.  "  I  know  every 
man  in  the  Confederate  army,  but  no 
one  knows  me!  Nor  would  they  recognize 
me  if  they  did.  The  tent  is  vacated  now; 
come  in." 

She  might  do  worse  than  to  obey. 

"You  are  on  a  dangerous  errand, 
young  woman,"  were  his  first  words. 

She  started  with  a  low  exclamation  of 
fear. 

"Do  not  be  alarmed,"  he  hasten  to  say. 
"  I  will  be  more  careful  how  I  speak. 
You  have  nothing  to  fear  from  me.  You 
are  cleverly  disguised.  It  is  to  warn  you 
that  I  am  here." 

"  Pray  who  are  you?" 

"  They  call  me  Old  Fatality.  But  that 
is  only  a  name  synonymous  with  my 
work,  you  know.  All  other  names  are 
misnomers,  however,  so  away  with  them. 
You  have  been  rash  in  coming  here  when 
your  own  home  is  in  jeopardy,  You  are 
needed  there,  even  now.  Is  the  life  of  a 
stranger  dearer  to  you  than  the  loved 
ones  at  home?" 

She  was  silent,  perplexed,  bewildered. 

"I  understand,"  he  went  on.  "You 
have  come  here  in  the  cause  of  your  state. 
By  your  heroic  conduct  you  have  averted 
the  disaster  that  hangs  over  the  army  of 
Georgia.    But  its  downfall  is  surely  com- 


14 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


ing.  You  will  live  to  regret  that  you  lent 
your  arm  to  its  support.  Your  heart 
should  be  wholly  with  your  patriot  lover. 
But  I  am  detaining  you  here  when  you 
should  be  on  your  homeward  journey. 
Even  now  all  that  you  hold  dear  on 
earth  is  under  the  bane.  Within  a  week 
you  will  be  alone — friendless  and  hope- 
less." 

"Sir,  begone!"  she  exclaimed.  "Who 
are  you  who  dares  to  breathe  the  breath 
of  treason?" 

It  was  too  dark  for  either  to  see  the 
other's  face  plainly,  but  both  were  greatly 
excited. 

Mara  stood  with  extended  arm. 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,"  he  said.  "  I  have 
only  your  good  at  heart.  See,  Iamgoing." 

He  went  as  far  as  the  edge  of  the  tent 
and  peered  cautiously  out. 

The  excitement  of  the  camp  scene  had 
somewhat  died  away. 

With  a  hasty  glance  he  took  in  the  view, 
when  to  the  surprise  of  Mara,  he  rapidly 
returned  to  her  side. 

"Be  calm,"  he  said  in  a  tone  hardly 
above  a  whisper.  ""Sou  have  come  to 
rescue  Cavalry  Curt!  So  have  I!  Listen 
to  my  directions  and  it  shall  be  well. 
You  can  trust  me." 

More  surprised  than  ever  Mara  bowed 
her  head. 

"  You  have  a  pass  for  him?" 

"Yes." 

"  Then  go  boldly  down  to  his  place  of 
confinement  and  demand  an  entrance. 
The  guard  will  pass  you.  Let  the  pris- 
oner don  this  suit  of  gray,"  handing  her 
a  bundle  that  he  carried  under  his  cloak. 
Together  then  leave  the  place.  I  will  be 
on  guard  when  jtou  come  out.  Be  bold 
and  it  shall  be  well  with  you  and  bim. 
Separate  at  once.  Do  you  then  go  home 
with  all  speed  possible.  Do  you  under- 
stand." 

She  could  hardly  credit  his  words. 

"  You  can  trust  me,"  he  declared  seeing 
her  hesitation.  "  If  you  have  any  doubt 
ask  Cavalry  Curt  if  he  knows  the  Wizard 
of  the  Army." 

At  the  mention  of  that  name  she  gazed 
upon  him  spellbound.  Could  she  be 
really  gazing  upon  the  wonderful  man 
whose  startling  reputation  had  reached 
even  her  mountain  home? 

"I  have  heard  of  you,"  she  murmured. 

*'  I  stopped  at  your  house  once  when 
crossing  the  mountains.  In  spite  of  your 
disguise  I  recognized  you  by  your  voice 
as  soon  as  you  spoke.  I  never  forget  a 
voice.    You  can  trust  me?" 

"  Yes." 

"Good.  Wait  an  hour;  then  go  ahead. 
You  will  find  me  ready  to  do  my  part." 

He  was  moving  away,  when  she  caught 
him  by  the  arm. 


"You  will  see  Cavalry  Curt  when  he  has 
escaped?" 

"Without  doubt." 

"  A  favor  then,  please." 

"It  is  granted." 

"You  will  not  mention  my  name  to 
him?  He  must  not  know  that  I  helped 
him  to  get  free." 

"Ha!  I  see.  Your  secret  is  safe  with 
me." 

The  next  moment  he  disappeared  from 
sight. 

Time  passed  slowly  enough  to  Mara  as 
she  waited  for  the  hour  to  wear  away. 

Nothing  new  occurred  to  awaken  her 
interest. 

As  she  pondered  over  the  events  of  the 
evening  she  wondered  more  and  more 
over  the  unexpected  appearance  of  the 
Wizard  Scout. 

Who  was  he?  From  whence  had  he 
come?  and  how  had  he  learned  of  her 
presence  there? 

Then  too  his  fearful  warning — must  she 
put  credence  in  that?  The  thought 
startled  her. 

She  had  heard  of  him  before — had 
heard  that  he  was  mad. 

Were  this  the  fact,  could  she  depend 
upon  his  assistance  in  the  rescue  of  Cav- 
alry Curt?" 

The  more  she  reviewed  her  situation, 
the  more  she  became  entangled  in  the 
web  of  mystery  and  doubt. 

The  time  for  action  came  at  last  and 
she  resolved  to  hazard  the  desperate 
venture. 

Not  without  many  misgivings  did  she 
start  on  her  perilous  mission. 

"'Tis  his  life  or  mine!"  she  murmured 
under  her  breath. 

Running  the  gantlet  of  others,  Mara  at 
last  reached  the  guard  who  stood  on  duty 
over  the  captive  scout. 

"  A  permission  to  see  Cavalry  Curt?" 

"  Who  from,  mister?" 

"General  Johnston." 

"Sho!  so 'tis.  Genuine,  by  Jeff.  Git 
'long  and  be  lively." 

Glad  to  pass  so  easily  Mara  entered  the 
doomed  spy's  quarters. 

He  was  lying  upon  the  bare  earth  as  if 
asleep  when  she  entered,  to  quickly  look 
up  at  sight  of  her, 

"  Is  this  Cavalry  Curt?"  she  asked  in  a 
low  tone. 

"They  call  me  by  that  name  some- 
times." 

"  I  need  not  ask  if  you  are  anxious  to 
escape  from  your  present  plight." 

Her  tone  was  low  and  her  calmness 
surprised  herself. 

"Hardly.    Who  are  you?" 

"A  friend.    Let  me  prove  it." 

No  sooner  had  she  spoken  than  she  cut 
the  ligatures  that  bound  him. 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


15 


"  May  heaven  bless  you,"  he  murmured, 
starting  to  his  feet,  to  find  his  limbs  so 
cramped  and  benumbed  that  it  was  some 
time  before  he  could  stand. 

"  Here,  don  this  suit  of  gray.  It  will 
help  you  escape  detection.  I  will  see 
that  no  one  enters.'1 

Cavalry  Curt  quickly  made  the 
change. 

"lam  ready,"  he  whispered.  "But 
how  are  we  to  run  the  guard?" 

"  Follow  me  closely." 

"  Into  the  jaws  of  death  though  it  be," 
replied  the  scout  through  his  clinched 
teeth.     I  wish  I  wene  armed." 

"  Take  this,"  and  Mara  thrust  a  revol- 
ver into  his  hand. 

"  Thanks.  Lead  on.  I  am  impatient 
to  get  out  of  this  place." 

"  Come." 

But  Mara's  heart  sank  within  her  as 
they  reached  the  door. 

The  same  sentry  was  on  duty  as  had 
been  when  she  entered  the  building. 

The  Wizard  Scout  had  failed  to  do  his 
part.  

CHAPTER    XI. 

WAS     HE     MAD  ? 

This  was  the  first  thought  that  flashed 
through  her  mind. 

She  hesitated. 

Was  it  fancy  or  did  the  guard  beckon 
her  to  comet 

It  was  too  late  to  turn  back. 

She  vapidly  advanced,  with  Cavalry 
Curt  beside  her. 

To  her  joy  the  sentry  merely  glancing 
up  allowed  them  to  pass. 

"  We  must  separate  now,"  said  Mara  a 
minute  later.  "I  trust  you  will  have  no 
further  trouble." 

"Have  no  fear  for  me.  But  to  whom 
am  I  indebted  for  this  kind  act? ' 

"To  the  Wizard  Scout,"  replied  Mara, 
and  the  next  instant  he  was  alone. 

"  A  strange  man,"  mused  Cavalry  Curt. 
"But  I  have  no  time  to  waste  in  specu- 
lation .  As  I  am  not  needed  here  I  must 
start  for  the  general's  headquarters.  He 
will  think  I  am  a  tardy  errand-boy." 

But  Cavalry  Curt  was  not  on  his  own 
footing  yet. 

In  the*  very  heart  of  the  enemy's  en- 
campment it  was  no  easy  matter  to  run 
the  gantlet  of  his  foes. 

His  disguise,  however,  seemed  suffi- 
cient, for  few  had  seen  his  face. 

Again,  he  was  familiar  with  every  red 
of  the  country. 

With  full  confidence  in  his  ability  to 
escape  he  coolly  followed  his  course. 

The  boom  of  cannon  was  heard  in  the 
distance,  coming  from  the  direction  of 
Rocky  Face  Mountain. 


It  told  that  the  fight  at  Buzzard's  Roost 
Gap  had  begun, 

"I  am  more  needed  at  Reseca,"  he 
mused.  "  Thither  will  I  shape  my  course. 
Ha!  as  I  live  Johnston  is  sending  troops 
to  that  place.  He  has  discovered  Sher- 
man's ruse.  I  wonder  if  McPherson  will 
fall  into  the  trap.  I — it  is  a  risky  under- 
taking, but  I  am  in  for  it.     I " 

"Helloa,  Charley,"  exclaimed  someone 
breakijg  in  upon  bis  thoughts,  "ain't 
your  regiment  going  to  Reseca !" 

The  speaker  had  stepped  from  one  of 
the  tents  near  at  hand. 

"  Hang  it,  yes,"  growled  Curt  in  a  dis- 
guised tone,  instantly  adapting  himself 
to  the  new  situation.  "And  I'm  in  a 
deuced  of  a  fix." 

"  I  thought  the  20th  was.going.  What's 
the  trouble?" 

"My  equipments  are  down  to  the  bar- 
racks. I  just  stepped  into  Jackson's 
mess.  Let  me  take  your  gun.  Quick  or 
I  shall  be  too  late.  The  last  call  has 
sounded." 

"  Well,  here's  your  shooter.  Tell  me 
how  many  Yanks  you  kill.  I  wish  I  was 
going.     I've  got " 

But  Cavalry  Curt  stopped  to  hear  no 
more. 

Snatching  the  gun  from  the  other's 
hands  he  started  on  a  run  toward  the 
troops. 

"The  20th,"  he  panted  of  a  corporal. 

"To  the  right,  sir." 

Watching  his  opportunity  he  fell  into 
the  ranks  and  a  few  minutes  later  was 
marching  with  the  Confederates  on  to- 
ward Reseca. 

In  less  than  half  an  hour  he  had  es- 
caped from  the  guard-house  and  with  a 
recklessness  of  spirit  that  characterized 
his  conduct  had  joined  the  Southern 
ranks. 

Wild  as  the  move  seemed  it  proved  to 
have  been  the  very  best  he  could  have 
made. 

In  less  than  another  half  hour  the 
news  of  his  escape  flew  over  the  encamp- 
ment like  wildfire. 

His  name  was  on  every  lip  and  an  ex- 
citing search  was  made  for  him. 

For  a  time  at  least  he  was  safe  from 
them. 

One  other  little  incident  deserves  our 
attention  before  we  turn  to  record  the 
fortunes  of  Mara  Moorland. 

It  may  have  been  two  hours  after  the 
escape  of  Cavalry  Curt  was  discovered 
that  General  Johnston  was  startled  by 
the  appearance  of  an  old  man  in  his  tent. 

He  had  forbidden  anyone  to  enter  and 
was  trying  to  get  a  little  rest  which  he 
was  so  much  in  need  of. 

"  What  means  this  intrusion?"  he  asked 
starting  up. 


16 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"Nothing  —  noth-ing  —  no-thiag  —  not 
much.    Thought  I  must  see  you." 

"Orderly  Knox " 

The  strange  visitor  stopped  him  with  a 
wave  of  the  hand. 

"  Don't  trouble  yourself,  general,  I'm 
Old  Fatality  and  I  thought " 

General  Johnston  repeated  the  name 
in  a  husky  tone. 

"  Yes;  I  am  Old  Fatality,"  the  other 
went  on,  unheeding  the  commander's 
discomfiture;  "and  though  my  errand 
is  not  a  pleasant  one  it  is  none  the 
less " 

"Orderly  Knox " 

"Stop,  general!  three  ain't  company!" 

One  of  the  general's  aides  entered  the 
tent. 

"  What  is  it,  general?" 

"  Put  that  man  out.  He  is  disturbing 
me.     How  dared  you  let  him  in?" 

"How  in  the  dickens  did  he  get  in? 
Merey  me,  it  is  the  mad  wizard!  Come 
along  here,  old  man;  you  are  not  wanted 
here." 

"Of  course  I  ain't.  Misfortune  ain't 
wanted  anywhere;  but  you  have  to  take 
what  the  Lord  sends,  don't  you?  I  have 
taken  the  trouble  to  come  here  and  I  am 
going  to  stay  with  you — my  spirit  if  not 
my  body.  I  was  with  Beauregard  at 
Sliiloh,  with  Pemberton  at  Vicksburg, 
with  Bragg  at  Chattanooga  and — you 
know  the  result.  I  am  sorry  for  you, 
General  Johnston,  for  you  are  worthy  of 
a  better  cause  than  which  has  led  you 
into  the  field,  but  defeat  is  as  sure  to  be 
your  portion  as  night  is  to  follow  day. 
Adieu." 

As  silently  as  a  shadow  he  passed  out, 
the  spectators  unable  to  throw  off  the 
spell  which  he  had  thrown  over  them  by 
his  burning  words  and  wild  manner. 

When  they  did  recover  their  self-pos- 
session enough  to  look  for  him  he  was 
gone  as  silently  and  mysteriously  as  he 
had  appeared. 

Though  no  one  may  have  believed  his 
words  they  were  never  forgotten;  and 
later  on  they  were  recalled  with  a  start- 
ling distinctness. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

WARLIKE    SCENES. 

Fortunately  for  Mara  Morland  she  had 
passed  the  pickets  before  the  discovery 
of  Cavalry  Curt's  escape. 

We  doubt  if  she  would  have  succeeded 
in  doing  so  then. 

The  night  was  clear  starlight  and  she 
had  no  difficulty  in  following  the  way. 

She  was  mounted  on  the  same  horse 
she  had  ridden  in  eoming  to  Dalton  and 
it  was  barely  two  hours  ride  to  her  home. 


A  part  of  her  journey  lay  on  the  road 
to  Buzzard's  Gap. 

Anxious  to  reach  home  Mara  was  riding 
at  a  smart  canter  when  she  fancied  she 
heard  the  sound  of  hoof-strokes  behind 
her. 

Thinking  nothing  strange  of  this  she 
kept  on  her  way  at  her  former  rate  of 
speed. 

The  sounds  continued  and  even'  grew 
plainer,  until  she  was  aware  that  not  one 
rider  but  several  horsemen  were  follow- 
ing her. 

"  It  must  be  a  skirmishing  party,"  she 
thought,  "  or  it  may  be  troops  going  to 
Buzzard's  Gap." 

Whichever  case  it  might  be  she  had  no 
desire  to  be  seen  so  she  urged  her  horse 
on  a  faster  gait — faster  and  faster  until 
she  fairly  flew  along  the  way. 

Still  to  her  surprise  the  horsemen 
seemed  to  come  nearer. 

Surprise  soon  gave  place  to  alarm  for 
she  felt  now  that  she  was  pursued. 

Just  as  she  was  coming  to  this  conclu- 
sion she  reached  the  point  where  she 
must  turn  from  the  Buzzard's  Gap  road 
in  order  to  reach  her  home. 

This  then  would  prove  the  test.  If  the 
riders  kept  straight  on  she  need  have  no 
further  fear.  If  not — she  dared  not  con- 
template the  worst. 

She  heard  them  reach  the  forks  of  the 
road,  and  for  a  moment  she  thought 
they  passed  on;  and  then  a  low  excla- 
mation escaped  her  lips  as  she  realized 
that  her  worst  fears  were  stern  facts. 

The  horsemen  were  in  earnest  pursuit 
of  her! 

The  road  now  was  more  broken  and  her 
progress  was  slower. 

She  was  'a  good  rider,  but  her  horse 
was  no  match  for  those  in  pursuit. 

She  had  gone  perhaps  a  couple  of  miles 
further  when  a  loud  shout  attracted  her 
attention,  and  looking  back  she  saw  her 
pursuers  in  plain  sight! 

The  formost  was  waving  something  in 
the  air,  as  if  motioning  for  her  to  stop. 

At  first  thought  she  was  inclined  to  do 
so,  but  something  in  their  manner  seemed 
to  tell  her  that  their  presence  boded  her 
no  good: 

Their  shouts  were  like  those  of  a  mad- 
dened  mob  rather  than  the  words  of 
friends. 

With  her  white  face  set  despairingly 
toward  home  she  swept  wildly  on. 

Her  long  hair  broke  from  its  confine- 
ment, to  stream  in  the  night  air,  adding 
to  the  wildnessof  her  appearance. 

Over  the  hills  and  through  the  valleys 
she  flew,  the  clatter  of  her  enemies  in 
pursuit  growing  plainer  and  nearer. 

Then  shots  were  fired  while  the  bullets 
flew  uncomfortably  near. 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


17 


But  one  thought  was  in  her  mind  now. 

Could  she  reach  home? 

Ever  and  anon  she  glanced  wildly  back, 
and  every  time  her  hopes  sank  lower. 

"Hold  up  there  if  you  value  your  life!'' 
thundered  the  leader  of  the  horsemen. 

His  words  only  served  to  make  her 
urge  her  failing  horse  on  to  greater  ex- 
ertions. 

The  next  moment  her  home  burst  into 
view. 

Notwithstanding  the  hour  she  saw  a 
light  at  its  windows. 

A  murmured  thanksgiving  escaped  her 
lips. 

"Almost  there!"  she  exclaimed. 

A  minute  later  she  rode  furiously  into 
the  yard. 

Reining  up  her  foam-flecked  horse  in 
front  of  the  door  she  sprang  from  the 
saddle  just  as  her  grandfather  appeared 
in  the  doorway  with  a  light  in  his  hand. 

"What  has  happened?"  he  cried,  ex- 
citedly. 

"I  am  pursued!  Oh,  save  me!"  she 
panted,  falling  exhausted  on  the  thresh- 
old. 

With  a  cry  almost  human  the  steed  she 
had  ridden  staggered  forward  and  fell  at 
the  old  man's  feec  in  the  throes  of  death! 

At  the  same  instant  the  horsemen 
dashed  upon  the  scene. 

"What,  ho!  there!"  cried  the  leader. 
"  It  is  a  long  race  that  has  no  end!" 

"What  does  this  mean?"  asked  Colonel 
Morland,  trembling  like  an  aspen  leaf. 

"  We  are  after  Cavalry  Curt!  He  has 
made  a  bold  dash  for  freedom.  Stand 
aside,  old  man,  if  you  value  your 
life!" 

"  No — no!  you  shall  not  harm  her!" 
cried  the  old  soldier,  bending  over  Mara, 
who  was  just  opening  her  eyes. 

"Are  you  hurt,  my  child?" 

"No;  but  see  they  are  coming.  Back 
—back,  every  man  of  you!  I  am  armed!" 

She  had  gained  her  feet  and  like  a 
tigress  at  bay  faced  them. 

Some  of  the  party  had  dismounted  and 
were  advancing. 

"Yes,  keep  back!  keep  back!"  warned 
Colonel  Morland  with  both  arms  out- 
stretched. 

"Great  King!  he  is  a  woman!"  ex- 
claimed one  of  the  horsemen,  as  he  saw 
Mara's  long  hair  falling  down  her  neck 
and  shoulders. 

"Woman  or  devil,"  cried  the  leader, 
"  seize  her.  She  is  Cavalry  Curt;  or  the 
one  in  league  with  him." 

Mara  was  armed  and  she  had  so  far  re- 
covered her  self-possession  as  to  bid  defi- 
ance to  them. 

"  She  means  business,"  ejaculated  the 
foremost  of  the  would-be  captors. 

"Fire  and  furies!"    roared  the   chief, 


urging  his  horse  forward  to  the  front  of 
his  men,  "  we " 

But  Mara's  ringing  tone  checked  his 
speech. 

"  Advance  another  step  at  the  peril  of 
your  life." 

"Traitors!"  hissed  the  others,  "your 
lives  shall  pay  for  this." 

"Explain  your  errand,"  said  Colonel 
Morland,   again  speaking.      "My  doors 


are  open  to  the 

"  Old  man,  . 
stands  as  great 
knew.  We  want 
mav  be  and  we 


al- 

lie.  By  your  side 
a  traitor  as  you  ever 
him  or  her  as  the  case 


The  sharp  report  of  a  rifle  suddenly 
drowned  his  speech. 

With  a  low  groan  Colonel  Morland  sank 
to  the  floor. 

"You  have  killed  him!  You  have  killed 
him!"  moaned  Mara,  falling  upon  her 
knees  beside  him. 

The  Confederate  chief  looked  amazed. 

"Who  fired  that  shot?"  he  inquired. 

No  one  answered.        • 

At  that  moment,  too,  a  new  actor  ap- 
peared on  the  scene. 

It  was  the  scout,  Boyd  Wyman,  who, 
wounded,  '•had  remained  at  her  home 
while  Mara  had  gone  on  her  perilous 
mission  to  Dalton. 

He  moved  with  the  greatest  difficulty, 
but  succeeded  in  reaching  the  doorway. 

"What  have  you  done?"  he  cried, 
sharply. 

"  It  wa6  a  dastardly  shot!"  he  went  on 
as  no  one  replied. 

Mara  was  weeping  bitterly. 

"  Who  are  you?"  queried  th9  chief. 

"Boyd  Wyman;  and  I  can  vouch  for 
these  people's  loyalty  even  as  I  can  my 
own." 

"It  is  Boyd  Wyman!"  averred  one  of 
the  soldiers.  "  They  said  he  was 
wounded  and  stopping  up  here." 

"  Is  the  old  man  seriously  hurt?"  asked 
the  leader,  moving  in  his  seat  uneasily. 

"Yes,"  replied  the  scout;  "he  has  re- 
ceived his  death  wound." 

"  I  am  sorry,  for  we  meant  him  no 
harm.     Who  is  that  beside  him?" 

"  Mara  Morland,  his  grand-daughter. 
She  has  just  returned  from  Dalton  where 
she  has  been  to  bear  dispatches  for  me,as  I 
have  got  a  chunk  of  lead  in  my  leg  and 
cannot  walk.  But  what  means  this  piece 
of  unwarranted  work?  You  have  the  old 
man's  life  to  answer  for." 

"We  were  after  Cavalry  Curt,"  replied 
the  other,  doggedly.  "He  has  escaped, 
and  that  chap  by  the  old  man  helped 
him  to  do  it." 

"You  know  better;  but  go  your  way 
and  leave  peaceful  folks  alone.  You  have 
done  mischief  enough  already." 

"  It  ain't  come  out  just  as  I  expected. 


13 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


Reckon  though  we'll  keep  an  eye  on  this 
place.  Sergeant  Groodale,  I  will  leave 
ten  men  here  under  your  charge  as  guards, 
see  that  no  one  leaves  it.  You  will 
be  held  accountable  for  every  life 
here." 

"  Yes,  captain.  Reckon  we  shan't  sleep 
on  our  post." 

"lean  trust  you.  Boyd  Wyman,  will 
you  go  to  Dalton  with  us?" 

"I  couldn't  ride  that  distance  to  save 
my  life.  Even  if  I  could,  I  feel  it  ray 
dutv  to  stay  here." 

"'Just  as  you  choose." 

Without  more  delay,  after  detailing 
ten  of  his  followers  to  remain  with  Ser- 
geant Groodale,  Captain  Buck,  with  the 
rest  of  his  party,  headed  toward  Dalton. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

BETRAYED ! 

Johnston  in  fortifying  himself  at  Dal- 
ton had  not  overlooked  the  possible  need 
of  an  avenue  of  retreat  or  removal  to 
some  other  position. 

Accordingly  he  had  repaired  the  roads 
leading  into  the  different  quarters  of  the 
surrounding  country;  and  wherever  his 
astute  mind  had  deemed  it  expedient  he 
had  opened  new  passages. 

Thi9  enabled  him  to  move  about  with 
facility,  divide  or  unite  his  forces  as  he 
choose,  and  made  his  capture  more  diffi- 
cult. 

In  the  whole  history  of  the  war  we 
know  of  no  instance  where  two  officers 
were  so  evenly  and  6quarely  pitted 
against  each  other  a6  far  as  individual 
characteristics  were  concerned  as  were 
Sherman  and  Johnston. 

Either  was  as  well  prepared  for  the  de- 
feat of  his  plans  as  for  their  success,  nor 
did  victory  unduly  elate  him. 

Each  had  an  eye  to  his  surroundings 
ami  was  continually  calling  into  acqui- 
sition the  advantage  offered  by  the  sur- 
face of  the  country. 

The  march  to  Reseea  was  performed 
with  the  ease  and  rapidity  that  marked 
the  Confederate  commander's  entire  cam- 
paign. 

Cavalry  Curt,  we  remember,  had  actu- 
ally entered  the  rebel  ranks,  and  leaving 
MaraMorland  in  her  grief  and  hopeless 
condition  weinust,  in  order  to  keep  along 
with  the  occurrence  of  events,  turn  to 
narrate  the  scout's  checkered  fortunes. 

Warned  of  Sherman's  premeditated  at- 
tack by  McPherson  upon  Reseca  under 
cover  of  an  assault  in  Buzzard  Roost  led 
by  Thomas,  ami  Schofield's  march  toward 
Dalton.  Johnston  had  on  the  fifteenth  of 
May  ordered  Canty's  cavalry  to  that 
place. 


Soon  after  its  arrival  this  skirmishing 
brigade  had.  become  eDgaged  with  the 
advance  columns  of  the  Northern  troops 
to  be  driven  back. 

McPherson  thus  unexpectedly  met  by 
the  foe,  whom  he  had  hoped  to  find  asleep, 
halted. 

Thus  the  two  forces  were  looking  and 
waiting  for  each  other  to  move,  neither 
knowing  the  other's  strength,  when  on 
the  evening  of  the  ninth  three  divisions 
of  Johnston's  infantry  marched  to  the 
succor  of  the  threatened  town. 

The  arrival  of  the  re-inforceinents  was 
the  signal  for  rejoicing,  and  plans  were 
quickly  laid  for  more  hostile  movements. 
That  the  enemy's  position  and  actual 
resources  as  to  numbers,  armament,  etc., 
might  be  more  definitely  known  a  squad 
of  six  under  one  Lieutenant  Boggs  was 
detailed  to  reconnoiter  the  field. 

Cavalry  Curt  to  his  infinite  satisfaction 
was  one  of  the  scouts. 

Once  outside  the  picket  line  the  scouts 
moved  cautiously,  yet  swiftly  forward,  the 
sense  of  each  man  strained  to  catch  the 
least  sound  or  to  detect  the  slightest 
movement  upon  the  night  scene. 

The  sky  was  overcast  with  a  thin  lining 
of  clouds,  so  that  it  was  quite  dark  in  the 
deeper  forests.  In  a  coulpe  of  hours  the 
moon  would  rise  to  dispel  somewhat  the 
gloom. 

As  silently  as  so  many  shadows  the 
little  party  threaded  the  dim  aisle  of  the 
valley  lying  on  the  west  of  the  town. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  and  nothing 
was  heard  to  alarm  them,  until  at  last 
they  stood  at  the  edge  of  a  clearing  of 
several  acres  in  extent. 

Lieutenant  Boggs  motioning  a  halt, 
they  paused  under  the  shadows  of  the 
trees. 

"  I  have  an  idea  the  Yanks  are  off  to 
the  right,"  he  said,  speaking  for  the  first 
time. 

"  More'n  likely,"  assented  one  of  the 
others. 

Cavalry  Curt  started  at  the  sound  of 
the  last  speaker's  voice.  He  was  too  well 
schooled  in  his  self-possession,  however, 
to  betray  any  surprise,  though  he  im- 
proved the  first  opportunity  to  get  agood, 
square  look  at  the  man. 

He  had  recognized  the  tone  as  that  of 
one  whom  he  had  at  one  time  known. 

The  countenance  was  that  of  the  per- 
son. 

He  had  at  one  time  belonged  to  Kear- 
ney's cavalry,  but  had  disappeared 
very  suddenly  and  was  supposed  to  have 
been  killed. 

Curt's    most    natural    conclusion    was 
that  he  was  acting  a  part  as  well  as  him- 
self. 
j     Though  altered    in    appearance   since 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


19 


kheir  last  meeting  be  felt  certain  the 
other  would  recognize  him  as  soon  as  he 
should  get  a  fair  view  of  his  face. 

Always  careful  to  be  on  the  safe  side 
the  spy  resolved  not  to  discover  his  iden- 
tity to  the  other,  but  to  maintain  a  care- 
ful watch  over  himself. 

He  could  not  help  feeling  that  the  man 
had  deserted  the  Union  cause. 

In  that  case  his  own  position  was  a 
critical  one. 

"Don't  believe  but  we  had  better  go 
round  the  clearing,"  declared  Lieutenant 
Boggs.  "  I  kalkilate  we  have  got  to  look 
mighty  sharp,  for  we  are  likely  to  run 
on  the  Yanks  at  any  step.     Foller  me." 

With  this  terse  command  he  led  the 
way  through  the  forest,  the  others  fol- 
lowing closely  upon  his  heels  in  Indian 
fashion. 

They  had  gone  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  in  this  way,  when  Lieutenant  Boggs 
paused  abruptly. 

Bending  his  head  forward  in  a  listen- 
ing" attitude,  after  a  minute's  anxious 
wait,  he  said: 

"'I  though  I  heard  some  step.  But  I 
must  have  been  mistaken.  Isn't  that  a 
building  over  yonder  on  the  swell?" 

"I  should  say  so,"  replied  one  of  his 
companions. 

"I  have  a  mind  to  go  up  there." 
"  My  eye  has  been  on  that  pine  tree  for 
some  time.    What  a  view  one  could  get 
from  its  top?    Let's  go  up  a  little  nearer 
anyway." 

They  soon  came  in  plain  sight  of  a 
large,  old-fashioned  farm-house  with  out- 
buildings adjoining,  the  whole  looking 
deserted  and  sadly  out  of  repair. 

The  buildings  stood  on  the  crest  of 
quite  an  eminence  of  land. 

On  one  side  reaching  nearly  down  to 
the  woods  where  they  were  concealed  ex- 
tended a  line  of  dense  shrubbery. 

A  short  distance  from  the  house,  its 
dark,  gigantic  branches  overhanging  the 
roof  was  a  huge  pine  towering  far  above 
any  other  tree  in  the  vicinity. 

At  was  this  tree  Lieutenant  Boggs 
wished  to  reach,  knowing  that  from  its 
summit  he  could  look  down  upon  a  wide 
circle  of  the  surrounding  country. 

Without  losing  anytime  he  swiftly,  yet 
silently  advanced  toward  the  forsaken 
buildings,  being  careful  to  keep  under  the 
cover  of  the  trees. 

His  followers  closely  imitated  his  ex- 
ample, and  a  few  minutes  later,  without 
having  met  with  any  renewed  cause  of 
alarm,  they  gained  the  summit. 

Under  the  giant  pine  Lieutenant  Boggs 
ordered  a  halt. 

"•One  of  us  had  better  climb  the  tree. 
If  I  mistake  not,  from  its  top  the  camp 
of  the  Yanks  will  be  in  plain  view.     You 


are  the  man  to  do  it,"  he  concluded,  turn- 
ing to  Cavalry  Curt. 

The  words  in  themselves  were  innocent 
enough,  but  they  were  no  sooner  spoken 
than  the  scout  instantly  interpreted  a 
double  meaning. 

He  saw  Lieutenant  Boggs  and  the  de- 
serter exchange  significant  glances,  and 
all  at  once  it  flashed  through  his  mind 
that  his  identity  had  been  discovered! 

He  had  been  betrayed! 

It  was  evidently  a  "part  of  the  plans  of 
his  foes  to  get  him  into  the  tree,  where 
he  would  be  at  their  mercy. 

A  hurried  glance  around  showed  that 
there  was  no  way  for  him  to  escape. 

He  must  either  climb  the  tree  or  refuse 
to  obey  the  order.  In  the  latter  case  he 
would  only  hasten  the  crisis  without 
bringing  any  especial  benefit  to  him- 
self. 

He  was  in  a  tight  place. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

TREED ! 

"  Come,  why  don't  you  obey  orders?" 
growled  Lieutenant  Boggs,  as  Cavalry 
Curt  hesitated  a  moment. 

"Danged  if  I  see  just  how  I  am  soing 
to  get  up  to  that  first  limb,"  muttered 
the  scout.  "  I  never  was  much  of  a 
climber,"  and  he  started  around  the  tree, 
obviously  to  find  a  way  to  ascend  its 
trunk,  but  really  to  test  the  intentions 
of  his  companions. 

No  sooner  had  he  moved  than  their 
rifles  were  half-raised  and  they  seemed 
ready  to  spring  upon  him.  He  "no  longer 
doubted  their  purpose.  Neither  did  he 
delay  further  in  his  course  of  action. 

"We'll  show  you  a  way  to  get  your 
lubberly  carcas  up  there  if  you  don't  try 
for  yourself  pretty  lively,"  exclaimed  the 
lieutenant,  impatiently. 

"If  some  of  you  will  just  give  me  a 
boost  I  guess  I  can  get  up  here,"  declared 
Curt. 

With  the  assistance  of  a  couple  of  the 
others  he  was  enabled  to  reach  the  first 
branch  when  he  slowly  drew  himself  up 
until  he  had  gained  its  support. 

Glancing  over  his  shoulder  he  saw  that 
the  squad  had  covered  him  with  their 
guns,  and  that  Lieutenant  Boggs  was 
smiling  triumphantly. 

Without  seeming  to  notice  their  hostile 
movement,  however,  Cavalry  Curt  con- 
tinued his  ascent  of  the  pine. 

Feeling  confident  of  their    game  the 
Confederates  allowed  him  to  go  up  higher     s 
until  his  form  began  to  fade  from  sight. 

"We  can  take  hiui  as  he  comes  down," 
said  Boggs.  "  Look  sharp  for  him, 
boys." 


20 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


This  was  spoken  in  an  undertone 
which  of  course  did  not  reach  the  scout's 
ears,  though  he  knew  well  enough  their 
intentions. 

Higher  and  higher  he  rapidly  ascended 
the  tree,  until  at  last  he  was  near  the 
top. 

Parting  the  thick  branches  he  gazed 
out  upon  the  surrounding  country  scene 
for  several  miles  in  the  clear  starlight. 
Had  it  been  daylight  he  might  have  seen 
distinctly  a  wide  panorama  of  scenery. 

As  he  had  expected  to  do  he  gazed 
upon  the  tents  of  an  encampment  of  the 
Federal  troops.  He  knew  well  enough 
it  was  McPherson's  corps  lying  in  wait, 
undecided  as  yet  whether  to  move  boldly 
upon  Reseca  or  to  retreat. 

The  forces  were  but  a  few  miles  away 
and  fixing  the  direction  in  his  mind  he 
began  to  look  around  him  for  some  ave- 
nue of  escape,  knowing  that  he  had  but 
a  few  minutes  in  which  to  act. 

Peering  down  through  the  matted 
branches  he  saw  that  the  Confederates 
were  listlessly  waiting  his  movements. 
At  the  least  cause  for  alarm  they  would 
be  active  enough,  though  evidently  they 
felt  certain  of  their  prey. 

As  we  have  already  told  the  pine  stood 
near  to  the  house,  so  near  in  fact  that 
Cavalry  Curt  had  noticed  that  its 
brandies  touched  the  building. 

Particularly  were  they  thick  together 
and  long  at  a  point  objective  to  the 
chamber  windows.  Here  was  where  the 
scout  hoped  to  escape. 

Without  stopping  to  take  more  than  a 
hasty  survey  from  his  lofty  perch  Curt, 
leaving  his  "slouched  hat  so  it  might  be 
seen  by  those  below,  cautiously  began  to 
descend,  hugging  closely  to  the  tree. 

Swiftly  yet  silently  he  retraced  his 
course  until  he  stood  on  the  branch  that, 
reaching  around  the  corner  of  the  dwel- 
ling, had  boldly  pushed  its  way  through 
one  of  the  windows. 

Hearing  nothing  as  yet  from  his  ene- 
mies to  alarm  him,  he  glided  out  along 
the  branch  concealed  by  the  matted 
growth  of  boughs  above  and  below. 

"  Helioa!"  called  out  Lieutenant  Boggs, 
cautiously,  when  he  was  about  midway 
JO  the  passage,  "  what  do  you  see?" 

Of  course  Curt  made  no  reply — only 
quickened  his  progress  knowing  that  his 
time  would  soon  be  up. 

"I  say  where  are  you?"  called  out 
Boggs  a  little  louder,  as  he  listened  in 
vain  for  an  answer  to  his  first  call. 

"  Hang  the  fool!  why  don't  he  speak!" 
muttered  the  officer.  Then  lcuder  than 
before  he  cabled  out: 

"Are you  going  to  keep  us  here  all 
night?    Come  down  at  once." 

At  this  moment  Curt's  hand  touched 


the  window-sill,  when  with  the  agility  of 
a  cat  he  noiselessly  drew  himself  forward 
allowing  the  branch  to  sway  back  to 
its  normal  position  as  gently  as  possible. 

Still  the  Confederate  received  no  reply 
to  his  appeal  and  he  began  to  grow  first 
uneasy,  then  furious. 

"  He  is  clean,  clear  to  the  top,"  de- 
clared one  of  his  followers,  "lean  just 
see  his  head  between  the  branches. 
P'raps  he  don't  hear  you,  for  he  don't 
move." 

"I'll  send  a  chunk  of  lead  up  there  if 
he  don't  stir  pretty  soon,"  growled  Boggs. 
"Reckon  that'll  fetch  him." 

The  night  seemed  unusually  quiet,  and 
not  a  sound  followed  his  words. 

Curt  had  gained  the  house  and  stood 
within  its  walls. 

"  Look  here,  you  infernal  Yank!"  called 
out  Boggs  louder  than  before,  "  if  you 
don't  come  down  we'll  riddle  you  with 
bullets!  We  have  waited  long  enough 
and  its  time  for  you  to  know  that  your 
game  is  up!" 

Of  course  he  receeived  no  reply  and  he 
stamped  the  ground  madly,  regardless 
of  the  danger  he  was  courting,  forgetting 
that  he  might  have  enemies  within  hear- 
ing. 

"  He  don't  move,"  whispered  the  sol- 
dier.   "  Shall  I  fire  at  him?" 

"  Curses  upon  our  stupidity,  no.  It 
would  wake  up  the  whole  army  of 
Yanks.  Let  me  speak  to  the  dog  once 
more.!" 

Again  he  called  out  to  the  scout  with, 
as  might  be  expected,  no  better  result. 

"One  of  you  must  go  up  there,"  said 
Lieutenant  Boggs.     "  Who  will  do  it?" 

Not  one  of  the  little  group  volunteered 
to  do  so. 

"  He's  a  desperate  chap,"  ventured  one; 
"  and  as  he's  above  he's  going  to  have  us 
at  a  disadvantage.  I  don't  care  to  tackle 
him  alone,  I  allow." 

"Bahl"  retorted  Boggs,  "you  are  a 
coward." 

He  shirked  the  undertaking  himself, 
however. 

"  Perhaps  it  would  be  safer  for  three 
to  go  up,"  he  said  a  minute  later.  "Can 
the  dog  have  mistrusted  our  plan?" 

"Hark!  what  was  that?"  exclaimed 
one  of  the  soldiers  as  a  loud  crash  from 
within  the  house  broke  the  stillness  of 
the  night.  

CHAPTER  XV. 

TURNING  THE  TABLES. 

In  a  moment  the  little  squad  were  on 
the  alert. 

No  sound,  however,  followed  the  crash 
which  seemed  like  the  concussion  of  a 
falling  body- 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


2\ 


"  Some  one  is  in  the  house!"  whispered 
Boggs,  whose  stock  of  courage  never 
was  great,  was  fast  leaving  him. 

"Let's  go  in  and  see,"  ventured  one  of 
the  others  with  less  fear. 

"  We  mustn't  leave  the  tree  without  a 
guard  to  see  that  the  Yank  does  not  get 
off.  Jones  and  Monkton,  do  you  keep  a 
close  watch  over  that-  spy  while  the  rest 
of  us  explore  the  old  building.  Come  on, 
boys;  and  mind  that  you  keep  your  eyes 
open." 

With  these  words  he  led  the  way  to- 
ward the  open  door. 

It  was  dark  and  still  within.  Not 
without  many  misgivings  did  Lieutenant 
Boggs  enter  the  the  deserted  abode. 
Every  footstep  gave  back  a  loud,  creak- 
ing noise  and  he  fancied  that  all  kinds  of 
creatures  were  in  the  place.  A  bat, 
started  from  its  retreat  by  the  nocturnal 
disturbers  of  its  peace,  flew  uncomfortably 
near  to  his  head. 

He  crossed  the  first  apartment  closely 
followed  by  the  others,  to  enter  an  ad- 
joining room  even  darker  than  the  first 
if  that  were  possible. 

Unknown  to  them  the  eagle  eyes  of 
the  scout  were  watching  their  movements 
from  the  second  floor. 

Alike  unseen  and  unheard  by  either 
friend  or  foe  another  with  catlike  steps 
was  tracking  the  Confederates. 

Then  as  he  crossed  the  threshold  of  the 
inner  apartment  the  scout  caught  sight 
of  his  tall,  powerful  form.  He  started 
with  surprise  for  even  in  the  semi-dark- 
ness he  had  recognized  the  Wizard 
Scout 1- 

Here  then  was  help  he1  had  little  ex- 
pected— an  arm  that  was  worth  a  dozen 
ordinary  men. 

Until  then  Curt  had  thought  only  of 
escape  for  himself.  Finding  that  he  had 
an  ally  in  the  field,  a  bold,  daring  scheme 
entered  his  head. 

Lieutenant  Boggs  and  his  party,  how- 
ever, had  come  to  a  sudden  halt. 

"  Hist!''  exclaimed  he.  "  I  heard  some- 
thing move  in  the  corner  yonder." 

His  followers  quickly  came  to  a  stand- 
still, when  an  oppressive  silence  hung 
over  the  lonely  scene. 

"Man  or  devil,  come  forth !"  challenged 
Boggs,  trying  to  appear  calm  though  he 
was  trembling  with  fear. 

No  reply  was  made  by  word  or  move. 

The  Wizard  Scout  stood  in  the  dark- 
ness grimly  watching  them. 

"'Twas  nothing!"  exclaimed  the  bold- 
est of  the  squad.  "The  first  sound  we 
heard  was  but  the  branches  of  the  pine 
striking  against,  the  side  of  the  house. 
Let's  get  out  of  this.  We  are  losing  val- 
uable time.  Hark!  Jones  is  calling  for 
us." 


"Yes  ;  we  have  fooled  here  long 
enough,"  assented  Boggs.  "  Here  seems 
to  be  a  door  leading  out  at  the  end  of 
the  house.     Let's  go  out  this  way." 

Glad  to  escape  from  the  place  the  Con- 
federates hastily  passed  out  into  the 
night. 

Had  they  looked  back  by  the  light 
streaming  in  through  the  door  they  had 
opened  they  might  have  discovered  the 
tall  figure  of  Old  Fatality  standing  in  the 
background,  a  smile  upon  bis  bronze 
visage. 

They  left  the  door  open. 

As  soon  as  satisfied  that  they  were  be- 
yond hearing  Curt  spoke  in  a  low  tone 
to  the  mysterious  scout  who  without  look- 
ing up  or  betraying  any  surprise  mo- 
tioned for  him  to  descend  the  stairs. 

A  minute  later  Curt  stood  beside  him. 

"This  is  a  glad  meeting  on  my  part," 
whispered  he.  "I  was  wishing  I  had 
some  one  to  help  me." 

"  I  mistrustedit,"replied  the  unknown, 
"so  I  followed  you  up  here.  Do  you  in- 
tend to  capture  the  rebels?" 

"  If  possible.'' 

"  Good.  Let's  get  where  we  can  see 
what  they  are  doing  now." 

"  Noiselessly  crossing  the  room  they 
looked  cautiously  out  upon  the  handful 
of  perplexed  Confederates,  who  were 
grouped  under  the  pine  discussing  their 
next  move. 

"We  mustn't  lose  that  infernal  spy," 
declared  Boggs.     "  Has  he  moved  yet, 
Jones?" 
.    "Nary  a  bit." 

"Queer.  Some  of  us'll  have  to  dis- 
lodge the  fellow.  Who  of  you'll  climb  up 
there?" 

"And  get  riddled  for  our  pains!" 
growled  one. 

"Bah!  it's  got  to  be  done,"  said  Boggs. 
"  Strange  the  fool  don't  know  enough  to 
come  down." 

"  I'll  go  for  one,"  volunteered  Jones. 

"I  reckon  I  ain't  afeerd  to  go  with 
you,"  supplemented  Bronson. 

"  Nor  me,"  added  another. 

"  And  me,"  shouted  a  fourth. 

"  Enough,"  said  Boggs. 

"While  you  four  are  dislodging  the 
game,  Sperry  and  myself  will  see  that  he 
don't  get  away.  Where  is  he,  Jones, 
anyway.  Hang  me  if  I  don't  believe  he 
has  got  off  already!" 

"No;  he's  there  yet,"  affirmed  Jones. 
"  See,  there's  his  head  just  to  the  right 
of  that  big  limb  with  the  crows'  nest 
boughs." 

"Well,  climb;  we've  lost  time  enough 
already." 

"You  had  better  keep  your  eye  on 
him  and  the  moment  he  moves  warn  us," 
said  Jones. 


33 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"  Yes,  cover  him  with  your  gun,  Sperry; 
and  at  the  first  move  shoot  him." 

This  last  was  spoken  loud  enough  for 
the  fugitive  to  hear  even  were  he  farther 
avvav  than  was  supposed. 

Nothing  in  shape  of  a  reply  was  vouch- 

"  Hanged  if   I   believe  he's  there,"  said 

•"Oh,  we'll  show  you  in  less'n  no  time. 
Come  on,  boys." 

Without  further  delay  Jones  began  the 
ascent  of  the  tree  the  others  following 
upon  his  heels. 

The  smile  upon  the  Wizard  Scoufs 
grim  visage  broadened  as  be  and  Curt 
watched  the  Confederates. 

"There's  one  apiece  for  us!"  he  whis- 
pered . 

"And  you  may  have  old  shoulder- 
straps,"  added  Curt.  "  Come,  why  wait 
longer?" 

The  four  had  gained  the  branches 
of  the  pine  and  were  cautiously  ascend- 
ing toward  the  supposed  refuge  of  the 
scout. 

Lieutenant  Boggs  and  his  companion 
were  intently  watching  —  the  first  the 
progress  of  his  men,  the  other  the  mo- 
tionless object  in  the  top  of  the  tree 
which  he  iaucied  was  the  hiding  fugi- 
tive. 

As  silently  as  shadows  the  sconts  crept 
upon  the  unsuspecting  foe. 

Old  Fatality  was  unarmed,  as  far  as 
weapons  of  war  were  concerned,  but  his 
long,  talon-like  fingers  worked  convul- 
sively as  if  eager  to  clutch  the  throat  of 
his  victim. 

The  butts  of  a  pair  of  a  revolvers  pro- 
truded from  the  belt  of  Cavalry  Curt. 

In  the  midst  of  their  anxious  watch 
the  Confederates  felt  themselves  seized 
in  grasps  of  iron  and  in  spite  of  their  fu- 
tile resistance  they  were  borne  to  the 
earth. 

Before  either  of  them  could  cry  out  a 
hand  was  placed  over  their  mouths  and 
a  low  voice  whispered  in  their  ears  the 
single  word. 

"Surrender!" 

Meanwhile  the  four  were  cautiously 
approaching  the  top  of  the  pine  wonder- 
ing that  their  prey  should  keep  so  quiet. 

Then  as  they  drew  nearer  and  no  form 
of  man  took  shape  among  the  branches 
they  began  to  anticipate  the  hoax  played 
upon  thein. 

"No  one  is  there,"  whispered  Jones, 
with  a  breath  of  relief. 

"  He  must  be  there  somewhere!" 

"  He  aiu*t.     He's  got  away  somehow." 

"  Impossible." 

They  were  soon  satisfied,  however,  that 
such  was  the  case. 

"A  pretty  go!"  muttered  the  leader. 


"  I  see  now,  it  was  him  we  heard  in  the 
building.  Get  down  there  lively  for 
we  may  not  be  too  late  to  get  bim  yet." 

They  saw  two  men  under  the  tree  as 
they  had  left  them,  and  did  not  dream 
they  were  others  than  Boggs  and  Sperry 
their  companions,  until  the  clear  tones 
of  Curt  called  out: 

"Hold!"  the  tables  have  turned  and 
you  are  Union  prisoners!  Move  at  the 
peril  of  your  lives.    Our  rifles  cover  you!" 

Never  were  four  men  more  completely 
surprised.  However,  they  were  fairly 
caught. 

Finding  the}7  could  do  no  better  they 
descended  one  by  one  to  surrender  them- 
selves as  prisoners  of  war. 

Lieutenant  Boggs  swore  at  a  fearful 
rate  until  threatened  with  a  gag  when  he 
relapsed  into  silence. 

When  Curt  had  securely  bound  the  last 
of  the  squad,  the  scouts  resolved  to  march 
with  them  to  the  camp  of  McPherson. 

Who  can  blame  them  if  they  felt  a  bit 
proud  of  their  capture,  while  the  Confed- 
erates gnashed  their  teeth  with  rage,  in- 
wardly vowing  that  they  would  get  even 
with  their  doughty  captors. 

Leaving  the  scouts  to  reach  the  North- 
ern lines  with  their  prize  in  safety,  we 
must  turn  to  follow  the  fortunes  of  others 
of  our  actors  in  this  drama  of  war. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

WAS     IT     TREASON? 

Sad,  anxious  days  to  Mara  Morland  fol- 
lowed her  return  from  that  eventful  trip 
to  Dalton . 

Her  grandfather  sank  fast  from  the 
wound  he  received  that  morning  and  it 
soon  became  evident,  even  to  Mara, 
that  he  had  but  a  few  hours  to  live. 

"I  do  not  mind  dying,"  he  said.  "I 
have  lived  far  bej^ond  the  age  of  man, 
and  I  have  felt  I  must  soon  be  called 
home.  It  is  for  you  that  I  fear,  my  child. 
I  dare  not  contemplate  your  fate.'" 

She  tried  to  brighten  his  spirits  with 
words  of  cheer. 

He  slowly  shook  his  head. 

"  I  see  but  one  course  for  you  to  fol- 
low," he  said  finally.  "Harry  cannot 
offer  you  any  protection,  and  to  remain 
here 'would"  be  rashness.  I  see  well 
enough  now  that  the  old  place  will  be 
devastated  ere  long.  Ay,  I  had  rather 
die  than  to  live  to  see  that.  And  it  is 
surely  coming.  Mara,  are  you  listening, 
child?" 

"  Yes,  grandpa." 

"  You  had  better  go  to  your  Cousin 
Randolph's  in  Woods ville.  You  will  be 
safer  there.  I  wish  Harry  was  here. 
Brave  boy,   I  never  shall  see  him    any 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


23 


more.  Tell  him  that  I  thought  of  him  in 
my  last  moments." 

He  said  but  little  more  after  this  and 
the  hue  of  life  faded  fast  from  his  counte- 
nance. 

He  had  lain  a  long  time  motionless, 
when  there  was  a  nervous  twitching  at 
his  mouth  and  his  closed  eyes  opened. 

"Mara,  where  are  you?'' 

"Here,  dear  grandpa." 

"  See,  his  brow  lightens  with  the  touch 
of  death,"  whispered  one  of  the  guards  to 
the  others. 

"Mara,"  cried  the  dying  man,  huskily, 
"I  have  had  such  a  vision,  and  things 
appeared  so  different.  I  see  our  mistake 
now.  The  flag  of  the  South  will  yet  trail 
in  the  dust  and  the  stars  and  stripes  in 
brighter  luster  than  at  Yorktown  or 
New  Oi leans  will  wave  over  the  country 
three  times  saved.  Ic  is  right.  'Twas 
the  same  starry  banner  that  my  father 
fought  for  under  the  gallant  Sumpter, 
and  which  I  followed  under  General 
Jackson  at  New  Orleans.  Long  may  it 
wave,  to  glory  undim " 

With  the  last  word  quivering  upon  his 
lips,  his  upraised  arm  fell,  and  his  voice 
died  to  a  low  gasp.  A  minute  later  his 
spirit  had  fled  from  the  scenes  of  war. 

The  guards  had  looked  upon  each 
other  with  wonder  as  they  listened  to 
the  words  that  were  freighted  with  so 
much  of  patriotism,  so  inuch  of  evil  to  at 
least  one  of  the  listeners — the  innocent 
maiden  whose  fair  countenance  was  wet 
with  tears. 

"  Treason  treason  ! "  they  cried  as  in 
one  voice.  "  We  ought  to  have  hung 
the  old  traitor!  Let's  make  an  example 
of " 

"  Hold !"  exclaimed  Boyd  Wyman  from 
his  couch  in  an  adjoining  apartment. 
"Ho  nothing  rash.  They  were  but  the 
ravings  of  a  wandering  mind.  Let  hiui 
rest  in  death.  For  the  giiTs  sake  be 
merciful." 

'i'iie  scout's  words  were  not  in  vain. 

The  soldiers  curbed  their  anger  and  the 
dead  was  left  in  peace. 

The  sight  of  the  poor  girl's  grief  moved 
tht  in  to  sympathy  and  kind  net*. 

Under  their  directions  the  body  was 
prepared  for  a  decent  burial  and  finally, 
a  day  later,  was  borne  to  its  last  rest. 

A  few  of  the  many  slaves  once  owned 
by  Coioutl  Moriand  were  left  at  the  old 
plantation  and  these  shed  genuine  tears 
of  sorrow. 

He  had  been  a  kind  master. 

Two  of  the  negroes  called  Pete  and 
Diuah  were  very  thoughtful  to  Mara  in 
her  bereavement. 

Boyd  Wyman's  wounds  were  growing 
more" painful.  Inflammation  had  set  in  so 
that  his  case  was  becoming  critical. 


Mara  was  a  brave  girl  and  controlling 
her  grief  to  a  wonderful  extent  she  did 
all  in  her  power  for  the  wounded  scout. 

The  shifting  scenes  of  war  move  rab- 
idly. 

A  few  hours  after  the  simple  funeral 
of  Colonel  Moriand,  two  horsemen  ap- 
peared in  front  of  the  house. 

The  leader  was  Lieutenant  Logan. 

"I  must  see  the  prisoner,"  he  said.  "  I 
bear  an  order  and  a  message  from  Gen- 
eral B ." 

The  sight  of  the  gallant  soldier  was  a 
relief  to  Mara. 

Perhaps  he  came  with  good  tidings. 

But  as  he  stopped  to  speak  to  one  of 
the  guards  and  listened  to  his  speech, 
the  officer's  faee  grew  dark. 

He  came  into  the  house  a  minute  later. 

"I  am  pained  to  find  you  in  such  a 
sorry  plight,  Miss  Moriand,"  was  his 
greeting. 

"Only  say  that  you  have  come  to  end 
this  terrible  farce  and  I  will  not  com- 
plain," she  replied. 

"  I  have,"  he  said,  quickly.  "I  have 
interceded  for  you  and  at  the  first  op- 
portunity have  come  to  offer  you  your 
release." 

She  failed  to  understand  his  meaning. 

"  You  have  been  ordered  to  be  brought 
to  Dalton  upon  the  charge  of  treason." 

"Treason;"  she  repeated,  with  quiv- 
ering lips,  "who  dares  to  accuse  me  of 
that?" 

"Alas!  Mara,  circumstances  are  against 
you.  Your  grandfather's  dying  words 
have  a  terrible  signification.  I  fear  it 
will  go  hard  with  you." 

"  But  Harry  will  intercede  for  me.  I 
will  go  to  him." 

"Stop,  Mara;  that  is  the  worst  feature 
in  your  case.  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you,  but 
the  truth  must  be  told." 

"What  is  it?"  she  cried,  catching  him 
by  the  arm  as  he  paused. 

He  turned  aside  to  escape  her  piercing 
gaze. 

"Must  I  tell  you,"  be  stammered. 
"  Harry  has  been  dishonored.  His  com- 
mission has  been  taken  from  him  and  he 
has  returned  to  the  ranks  under  proba- 
tion." 

"Harry  in  dishonor!"  she  cried,  clasp- 
ing her  hands.  "You  cannot  mean  it, 
Lieutenant  Logan." 

"  ft  was  a  hard  blow  for  me,  Mara,  for 
Harry  is  a  fine  fellow,  and  his  disgrace 
came  like  a  thunder-clap.  Upon  his  re- 
turn from  Buzzard's  Roost  Gap  he  was 
arrested  for  being  accessory  to  the  es- 
cape of  Cavalry  Curt  and " 

"It  is  not  so!"  she  cried,  wildly.  "I 
will  go  to  Dalton  at  once.  1  can  and  will 
save  him." 

"Nay,  Mara,   you  let   your  grief  ran 


24 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


away  with  your  reason.  He  is  safe  at 
present." 

"  But  I  must  see  him." 

"You  do  not  realize  how  impossible 
that  is,  could  you  do  him  any  good.  He 
has  gone  to  Reseca  with  a  body  of  troops 
ordered  there  to  its  defense." 

"  Gone  to  Reseca,"  she  repeated;  "  and 
as  a  common  soldier--ay,  more  than 
that,  a  soldier  in  disgrace!" 

"Be  brave,  Mara,  and  it  shall  end  well. 
Your  own  welfare  claims  our  attention 
now.  You  must  leave  this  place  at  once 
if  you  value  your  life." 

"And  yet  vou  just  said  that  I  could 
not." 

He  had  turned  away  to  pause  at  one  of 
the  windows  —  turned  away  purposely 
that  he  might  speak  without  being  heard 
by  Boyd  Wyman. 

Mechanically  she  followed  him. 

"  Mara,"  he  said,  in  a  low  tone,  "  I  have 
come  up  here  on  a  trumped  up  errand 
that  I  might  see  you.  1  have  come  to 
save  you,  even  at  great  risk  to  myself, 
if  you  will  accept  my  terms." 

"Explain  yourself,  Lieutenant  Logan." 

"Do  you  not  understand  how  much  I 
love  you?    I  cannot  tell  you " 

She  stopped  him  with  a  wave  of  her 
hand.  V 

"  If  you  have  nothing  else  to  say,  Lieu- 
tenant Logan,  this  interview  might  as 
well  come  to  an  end.  I  respect  you  as  a 
friend,  but  I  do  not  love  you." 

"But  you  would  learn  to,  Mara. 
Promise  to  be  my  wife  as  soon  as  this 
war  is  over,  and  I  will  have  you  taken  to 
a  place  of  safety  this  very  night.  Do 
you  promise?"  he  asked,  earnestly. 

"  If  you  really  loved  me  you  would  do 
so  without  exacting  a  promise  that  you 
know  would  break  my  heart." 

"  You  do  not  quite  understand  me. 
Were  it  not  for  that  Yankee " 

Something  in  her  looks  caused  him  to 
stop. 

"  You  refuse?"  he  continued  with  a  look 
that  she  would  never  forget. 

"Yes;  I  would  not  purchase  life  upon 
such  conditions." 

"I  am  sorry.  I  hope  you  will  never 
regret  this  course.  I  must  go  now.  Do 
not  blame  me  when  the  worst  comes.  If 
you  change  your  mind  I  will  fly  to  your 
rescue  the  moment  you  send  for  me.  I 
am  not  so  bad  at  heart  as  you  think, 
only  I  had  rather  die  than  yield  to  a  Yan- 
kee.    Good-day." 

With  a  few  parting  words  of  encourage- 
ment to  Boyd  Wyman  he  went  out  of 
the  house  and  mounting  his  horse  rode 
away. 

"  Did  he  give  you  any  reason  for  hope?" 
asked  Wyman,  as  Mara  returned  to  the 
side  of  his  couch. 


"  None." 

"  It  is  imfamous!"  exclaimed  the  scout, 
fiercely.  "  He  told  you  of  your  brother?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Poor  boy;  in  his  present  state  of  mind, 
I  tremble  for  his  safety." 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 

A  little  before  sunset  on  the  same  after- 
noon as  Mara  was  watching  by  the  side 
of  the  wounded  scout,  Black  Dinah  en- 
tered the  room  and  glancing  cautiously 
around  went  up  to  her. 

"Please,  missus,  come  inter  t'other 
room,"  she  whispered.  "  You're  wanted 
bad." 

The  speaker  was  greatly  agitated,  and 
she  rolled  her  eyes  and  pulled  her  apron 
and  clasped  and  unclasped  her  hands  in 
a  way  that  toid  of  more  than  she  dared 
or  could  tell. 

Mara  hesitated. 

"  Be  spry  'fore  sojers  see." 

Wondering  what  she  could  want,  Mara 
followed  her  out  of  the  room. 

As  they  were  allowed  to  go  about  the 
lower  story  of  the  house  at  liberty,  the 
soldiers  if  they  saw  them  thought  nothing 
strange. 

Dinah's  teeth  chattered  and  her  eyes 
showed  their  whites  in  a  startling  way. 

Mara  came  near  uttering  a  cry  of  sur- 
prise as  she  entered  the  apartment  to 
find  a  stranger  standing  in  the  center  of 
the  floor. 

His  hand  was  upraised  enjoining  si- 
lence. 

"  I  am  a  friend,"  he  said  quickly,  in  a 
low  tone. 

"'Fore  de  lawd,  he  mus'  be  a  s peri t," 
chattered  Dinah,  "  No  immortal  man 
c'u'd  a  got  hyer  and  not  a  bref  uv  a  soul 
to  see  'im — " 

"  Hush!"  warned  the  man. 

He  was  of  middle  age,  medium  in 
stature,  and  with  a  well-knit  frame. 

His  cleanly  shaven  face  was  frank  and 
handsome.  Perhaps  his  eyes  were  a  bit 
too  bright,  but  on  the  whole  he  seemed 
every  inch  a  gentleman. 

He  was  in  citizen's  dress  and  as  far  as 
was  seen  he  carried  no  weapons. 

All  this  Mara  saw  at  a  glance. 

"Are  we  likely  to  be  interrupted  by 
the  soldiers?" 

"  Not  for  a  short  time,"  she  replied,  im- 
itating his  tone.  "  What  is  your  errand, 
sir?" 

"  I  will  state  it  briefly,"  he  answered. 
"A  body  of  horsemen  are  even  now  on 
the  road  from  Dalton  to  affect  your  capt- 
ure. General  Johnston  is  calling  in  all 
of  the  skirmishing  parties  he  has  sent 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


35 


out  so  as  to  concentrate  his  forces  as 
much  as  possible.  He  cannot  afford  to 
keep  any  soldiers  here  longer.  You  will 
be  taken  to  Dalton,  or  what  I  fear  most, 
will  be  shot  as  a  traitor  as  soon  as  you 
aredragged  from  the  house.  I  have  come 
to  save  you." 

All  this  was  spoken  so  rapidly  that 
Mara  could  only  listen  in  mute  amaze- 
ment 

"  Who  are  you  ? "  she  faltered  at  last. 

"Don't  be  surprised  at  the  mention  of 
my  name,"  he  replied.  "I  am  the 
Wizard  Scout." 

In  spite  of  his  warning  she  could  hardly 
supress  a  cry  of  amazement. 

"  I  knew  you  would  be  surprised,"  he 
declared.  "I  was  in  disguise  when  you 
saw  me  before,  as  I  am  now.  But  that 
makes  me  none  the  less  your  friend.  I 
know  of  all  that  has  transpired  since  we 
parted  and  knowing  your  peril,  I  have 
come  to  help  you  escape." 

"  How  ? "  she  asked. 

"  By  flight.  We  must  lose  no  time 
either.  The  troops  will  be  here  in  half 
an  hour.  If  you  have  no  place  you  can 
go  to,  I  will  guide  you  to  a  friend  of 
mine." 

"I  don't  know  what  to  do,"  she  declar- 
ed. "  All  this  is  so  sudden  and  terrible. 
I  want  to  go  to  Dalton  to  see  Harry." 

"But  he  is  not  there.  He  went  to 
Reseca.  To  give  you  more  confidence  in 
what  I  promise  to  do  here  is  a  line  I  have 
brought  you  from  Cavalry  Curt." 

As  he  spoke  he  unscrewed  one  of  his 
buttons  from  his  coat  to  produce  a*small 
piece  of  paper  disclosed  beneath  its  cap. 

Mara  tool*  the  missive  with  atrenroling 
hand. 

She  read  : 

"Dear  Miss  Morland  :— Learning  of 
your  danger  1  am  anxious  to  lend  you  my 
assistance  toward  escape.  But  it  is  im- 
possible forme  to  do  so.  Thus  1  send  my 
friend  whom  you  have  met  before,  know- 
ing that  he  can  do  much  better  than  I. 
You  can  trust  him.  I  escaped  safely 
from  the  enemy  ;  thanks  to  the  friend 
Who  will  help  you  now. 

"Respectfully, 
"C.  Remington." 

"I  will  do  as  you  think  best,"  she  said, 
handing  him  back  the  paper. 

"Then  get  ready  to  leave  as  soon  as 
possible.  Have  you  any  place  you  wish 
to  go  ? " 

"  Yes  ,  to  my  cousins  in  Woodsville." 

"Very  well.  But  perhaps  you  had 
better  go  back  now  as  your  absence  may 
create  a  suspicion.  Boyd  Wyman  is  still 
here?" 

"  Yes." 


"It  may  be  best  to  speak  to  him.  He 
is  to  be  trusted  in  your  behalf.  While 
you  are  gone  I  will  plan  a  way  of  escape. 
Return  soon." 

As  Mara  returned  to  the  side  of  Wy- 
man's  couch  she  saw  by  the  actions  of  the 
soldiers  that  she  had  appeared  none  too 
soon  to  allay  their  suspicions. 

Whatever  the  scout  may  have  thought 
he  remained  quiet. 

As  she  gazed  upon  his  pale  face  bear- 
ing so  plainly  the  evidence  of  his  suffer- 
ing it  occurred  to  her  as  an  act  of  selfish- 
ness and  cowardice  to  leave  him. 

Nevertheless  as  soon  as  the  soldiers 
turned  away,  she  whispered  to  him  of 
the  presence  of  the  strange  man  in  the 
adjoining  room  and  what  he  had  told  her. 

If  Boyd  Wyman  was  surprised  he  did 
not  show  it  by  look  or  word. 

"  The  Wizard  Scout,  you  say  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  but  how  could  he  have  got 
here  ?" 

"Nothing  seems  impossible  with  him. 
You  could  not  have  had  a  better  friend 
come  to  your  rescue.  I  am  glad  he  has 
come.  Trust  in  him  and  jou  will  have 
little  to  fear.  You  had  better  get  ready 
at  once." 
■  "But  what  will  become  of  you? " 

"Oh,  I  shall  get  along  all  right,"  he  re- 
plied, carelessly.  "  Remember  I  shall 
be  among  friends.  I  wish  you  god-speed 
in  your  escape.  If  we  never  meet  again, 
remember  Boyd  Wyman  will  never  forget 
your  kindness  to  him.  There,  you  had 
better  return  to  your  friend  as  there  is 
no  time  to  be  lost." 

Not  without  some  reluctance  Mara  re- 
turned to  the  Wizard  Scout. 

"I  am  glad  you  have  come,"  he  said. 
"  I  can  think  of  but  one  way  to  escape. 
You  will  have  to  personate  the 
colored  servant  who  was  here.  I  suppose 
she  is  allowed  to  go  about  the  house  at 
will  and  even  out  of  it." 

"Oh,  yes.  She  goes  to  the  spring  for 
water  often." 

"  I  mistrusted  as  much.  Now  isn't 
there  one  I  can  personate  ?  " 

After  a  moment's  thought  she  answer- 
ed as  her  countenance  brightened  : 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  there  is  Pete.  And  they  are 
together  much." 

"They  are  just  the  ones  then.  We 
shall  not  have  to  separate.  If  you  can 
manage  to  get  some  of  their  clothing  I 
will  arrange  the  rest.  I  am  almost  pre- 
pared for  such  a  disguise.  I  was  a  darky 
all  day  yesterday.  The  day  before  an 
Irishman.'* 

Mara  went  out  to  find  Dinah. 

She  was  in  the  kitchen  and  alone. 

A  few  words  explained  all  to  the  faith- 
ful servant,  at  least,  all  that  was  neces- 
sary to  tell. 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"  'Deed  I  will,  missus.'11 

"And  you  must  keep  out  of  sight  as 
soon  as  I  tell  vou  to." 

'"Deed  I  will,  missus.  Is  it  fer  yees  to 
git  away  from  'em  whurrible  sojers?" 

"  Yes,  Dinah.  Be  quick  about  it,  only 
don't  let  them  see  you." 

'"Deed  I  won't,  missus." 

"Mara  returned  to  the  wounded  scout 
while  Dinah  was  getting  the  garments. 

"  Has  he  hit  upon  a  plan?"  lie  asked. 

Then  as  she  explained  the  plan  he  nod- 
ded his  head  in  approval. 

"  It  is  best." 

Mara  was  too  anxious  to  remain  idle 
long,  so  she  soon  returned  to  the  kitchen. 

Dinah  seemed  greatly  agitated. 

"  What  is  it,  Dinah?'' 

"'Fore  the  lawd,  it  am  s'prisin'!  Fust 
dar  ain't  no  man;  den  Fse  tin'  white,  and 
jess  now  w'en  I  tote  dem  fings  dar  what 
s'pose  I  find.  A  man  black — yah,  black 
as  Pete.     Shure  nuff " 

"  Hush!  some  one  is  coming." 

In  a  louder  tone: 

"  Aren't  those  cakes  about  done,  Dinah  - 
You  seem  slower  than  ever." 

"  Deed,  I  is,"  muttered  Dinah,  turning 
to  the  neglected  cakes. 

One  of  the  guards  entered  the  room,  but 
seeing  nothing  suspicious  he  retured  to 
the  front  of  the  house. 

Perhaps  they  were  expecting  the  troops 
from  Dalton  for  they  were  anxiously 
watching  the  road  that  wound  like  a 
hu<?e  serpant  in  that  direction. 

Not  a  second  of  the  next  five  minutes 
was  lost  by  our  friends. 

At  the  end  of  that  time  had  one  looked 
for  Mara  Morland  and  the  Wizard  Scout 
he  would  have  found  them  transformed 
into  identical  counterparts  of  Pete  and 
Dinah. 

Mara  had  bidden  farewell  to  Boyd  Wy- 
raan,  and  had  told  Pete  and  Dinah  to 
keep  out  of  sight. 

"I  think  we  are  ready  to  start  now," 
said  the  Wizard  Scout,  lowly.  "  Be 
brave  and  do  not  lose  your  self-pos- 
session let  come  what  may.  Follow 
me." 

Reaching  the  kitchen  they  saw  one  of 
the  soldiers  in  the  next  room. 

As  unconcernedly,  however,  as  if  thejr 
errand  was  a  real  one  the  scout  took  up  a 
couple  of  buckets  and  handed  one  to 
Mara. 

"  Reckon  we'se  go  to  der  sp'ing  fer 
watah,  honey,"  he  said  in  imitation  of 
of  Pete's  maudlin  tone. 

As  he  opened  the  door  a  body  ol  horse- 
men came  in  sight  of  the  house,  riding  at 
a  smart  canter: 

"  Run  long  wid  yer,  old  gal." 

Under  his  breath  he  said: 

"I  am  afraid  we  are  too  late!" 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  FUGITIVES'  FLIGHT. 

''Hold  on  there,  you  black  imps;  where 
are  you  going?"  thundered  the  soldier. 

Mara's  heart  almost  stopped  its  beat- 
ing. 

"To  de  sp'ing,  massa,"  answered  the 
scout,  coolly. 

"Seems  to  me  you  go  mighty  often." 

"  De  watah  done  git  rooininated  wid 
bad  taste,  massa.  'Sides  Dinah  done  spill 
sum  un  dat  las  bucket." 

"  Go  along;  and  see  that  you  don't 
waste  anytime." 

"  Yas,  massa." 

As  the  scout  and  Mara  started  dowo 
the  well-worn  path  to  the  spring  from 
the  back  door,  the  horsemen  reined  up 
in  front  of  the  house. 

"  Ho  there,  Sergeant  Howe  we  have 
come  for  that  troublesome  bird  of  yours," 
cried  the  foremost. 

"None  too  soon  to  suit  me  either, 
Lieutenant  Bradley.  You  will  find  her 
near  at  hand.     She  is  with  Wyman." 

But  they  found  the  wounded  scout 
alone. 

"  Miss  Morland  was  here  a  few  minutes 
ago,"  said  Wyman.  "  She  will  probably 
be  back  directly.  You  might  as  well 
wait  here." 

"  Precious  little  time  have  we  to  wait," 
growled  the  officer. 

He  did.  wait,  however,  a  few  minutes, 
time  that  Boyd  Wyman  knew  well  was 
precious  to  the  fugitives. 
•  "This  won't  do!"  exclaimed  the  other, 
soon  losing  his  patience.  "  Find  her, 
men — at  once." 

A  seach  for  the  missing  maiden  was  in- 
stantly begun,  but  to  the  surprise  and 
chagrin  of  the  soldiers  could  not  be 
found. 

"  She  can't  be  far  away,"  reiterated 
Wyman.  "  She  must  have  hidden  some- 
where in  the  house  when  she  saw  you 
coming." 

"By  heavens!  we  will  show  her  the 
fate  of  traitors  inside  of  five  minutes!" 
vociferated  the  anxious  officer.  "Sum- 
mon the  servants." 

The  chattering  slaves  were  quickly 
found  huddling  together  in  a  scared 
group  in  the  kitchen. 

Pete  and  Dinah  according  to  instruct- 
ions had  come  out  of  their  hiding-places 
soon  after  the  fugitives  had  left. 

They  were  faithful  to  their  promise, 
and  the  enraged  Confederates  could 
learn  no  trace  of  their  missing  prey. 

"  I  kno>v  of  one  way  to  drive  her  from 
her  retreat."  said  the  leader,  grimly.  "  I 
will  do  it,  now." 

"Here,  men,  some  of  you,  Lake  and 
Woodstaff,  bear  Boyd  Wyman  out  of  the 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


27 


house.  Sergeant  Howe,  see  that  the  house 
is  surrounded  and  no  one  escapes.  I  will 
show  that  girl  a  trick  she  little  dreams  of.1' 

While  his  orders  were  being  carried 
out,  Lieutenant  Bradley,  with  his  own 
hands,  set  tire  to  the  house. 

"That  will  drive  her  out,"  he  mut- 
tered, with  a  look  of  satisfaction. 

Boyd  Wyman  uttered  a  groan  as  he 
witnessed  the  fiendish  work. 

We  can  well  anticipate  the  result. 

"Curse  her!"  yelled  the  Confederate 
as  he  looked  in  vain  for  the  appearance 
of  his  victim;  "she  is  spunky  though!"1 

Then  as  the  flames  began  to  decrease 
and  the  walls  fell  he  turned  away. 

"The  Gre  has  saved  us  further  trouble. 
Come,  men,  follow  me  back  to  Dalton." 

Meanwhile  the  scout  and  Mara  were 
pursuing  their  flight. 

The  path  to  the  spring  wound  down 
the  hill,  and  after  going  a  few  rods  the 
view  from  the  house  was  obscured  by  a 
thick  growth  of  bushes. 

"We  have  no  further  use  for  these 
buckets  and  little  need  we  should  en- 
cumber ourselves  with  them  longer,  '  he 
said.  "We  must  get  as  far  as  possible 
from  here  before  our  flight  is  discovered." 

Mara  followed  him  in  silence. 

Darkness  was  fast  coming  on  which 
promised  to  favor  them  in  their  escape. 

The  country  was  broken  and  their 
progress  was  necessarily  6low,  however. 

They  heard  the  cries  of  their  enemies 
once,  but  beyond  that  nothing  was  seen 
or  known  of  them,  until  they  had  gone 
a  mile  or  more,  when  looking  back  Mara 
utreivd  a  low  exclamation. 

Her  companion  turned  quickly  in  alarm 
when  he  saw  a  bright  light  in  the  dis- 
tance. 

"  They  have  set  fire  to  the  house!"  she 
exclaimed  in  a  tremulous  voice,  as  the 
night  scene  was  lit  with  a  brighter  glare, 
while  the  flames  leaped  higher  and 
higher. 

"See!  I  can  distinguish  the  forms  of 
some  of  them  by  the  light  of  the  flames!" 
she  coutinued  clutching  him  by  his  arm. 
"Oh,  my  poor  home." 

"Do  not  despair,"  he  said,  encourag- 
ingly, as  they  watched  the  fire.  "That 
tells  that  they  are  not  following  us.  But 
we  must  not  lose  any  time.  Come,  we 
must  go  on." 

Reluctantly  she  turned  from  the  sight 
of  the  burning  building. 

"Homeless  and  a  fugitive!"  she  mur- 
mured.    "  God  have  pity  on  me  now." 

"  Do  not  lose  courage,"  he  said.  "  Re- 
member you  are  not  alone  in  your  grief. 
All  that  1  held  dear  sleeps  to-night  be- 
neath the  Confederate  sod." 

Then  as  if  wishing  to  change  the  sub- 
ject he  said,  pointing  down  the  valley: 


"  That  must  be  our  course.  On  our 
right  is  Dalton,  on  our  left,  Buzzard's 
Gap.  We  must  look  sharp  or  we  shall 
run  into  the  clutches  of  foes  before  we 
know  it.  These  disguises  must  be  cast 
off  at  the  first  possible  moment,  Now 
that  they  have  served  their  purpose  we 
could  not  be  in  more  dangerous  costumes, 
for  were  we  discovered  we  should  be  mis- 
taken for  escaping  slaves  and  shot  down 
without  a  word." 

These  remarks  were  spoken  in  a  low 
tone  for  no  one  knew  better  than  the 
speaker  the  peril  that  lay  before  them. 

In  the  very  heart  of  the  enemy's  coun- 
try, overrun  by  their  troops,  escape 
seemed  well-nigh  impossible. 

The  scout  spoke  but  a  few  times  for 
the  next  hour  and  nothing  occurred  to 
check  their  flight. 

Coming  to  a  stream  he  proposed 
that  they  should  wash  the  black  from 
their  faces  and  hands  and  discard  the 
garbs  that  they  wore  over  their  own. 

This  was  but  a  short  undertaking  and 
Mara  soon  appeared  as  herself  glad  toes- 
cape  the  uncomfortable  disguise. 

To  her  surprise  her  companion  pro- 
duced a  wig  and  a  set  of  long,  white 
whiskers.  Then  with  a  few  deft  touches 
he  was  transformed  into  an  old  man. 

"A  staff,  and  my  disguise  is  complete, 
is  it  not?"  he  said  with  a  smile  "This 
is  a  favorite  character  of  mine.  Remem- 
ber now  you  are  to  pass  as  my  daughter." 

"I  do  not  wonder  the}'  call  j'ou  the 
Wizard  Scout,"  declared  Mara,  as  she 
looked  on  with  amazement. 

"You  will  wonder  less  when  you  know 
me  better,  my  darter,"  assuming  the  role 
of  his  new  relationship.  "But  I  must 
put  these  old  duds  out  of  the  way." 

"Hark!"  she  exclaimed,  "what  is  that 
firing?"  as  the  sound  of  firearms  suddenly 
awoke  the  stillness  of  the  night. 

"  The  two  armies  are  having  a  battle. 
From  the  direction  I  should  judge  that 
Schofleld  has  attacked  the  flank  of  John- 
ston's arm>.  Ah,  he  will  give  the  gray- 
coats  a  hard  tussle." 

"  I  think  you  are  a  Northern  man." 

"My  sympathies  are  for  "the  Union, 
and  while  I  can  lift  this  good  right  arm 
of  mine  I  will  stand  in  its  defense." 

He  spoke  with  great  earnestness. 

"  You  forget  that  1  am  a  rebel." 

"  No  more  than  you  did  when  you  saved 
the  life  of  Cavalry  Curt.  But  have  done 
with  talk.  I  believe  I  hear  a  body  of 
horsemen  coming  this  way." 

"And  they  are  coming  at  a  smart  can- 
ter," said  Mara,  as  the  sounds  grew  rap- 
idly plainer. 

"It  must  be  a  skirmishing  squad  of 
Johnston's.  We  can't  be  far  from  the 
road ." 


28 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


"  Do  you  think  they  will  see  us?"  she 

"  Not  if  we  can  help  it.  We  must  look 
round  for  a  hiding-place  though.  Ha!  I 
believe  yonder  thicket  is  just  the  place 
for  us.     Let's  see  about  it. 

Upon  reaching-  the  spot  they  found 
that  a  huge  tree  "had  been  uptorn  there, 
its  matted  roots,  filled  in  with  earth  and 
overgrown  with  a  thick  mass  of  bushes 
forming  as  impenetrable  a  cover  as  could 
be  desired. 

"Just  the  place  for  us,"  declared  the 
scout,  "  and  we  are  near  enough,  so  that 
we  can  see  the  horsemen  as  they  pass. 
Crawl  in  and  make  yourself  as  comfort- 
able as  possible,"  parting  the  bushes  so 
that  she  had  little  difficulty  in  gaining 
the  retreat. 

"No  one  would  mistrust  you  were 
there,"  he  said,  as  he  allowed  the  under- 
growth to  resume  its  natural  position 
"  I  can't  see  you,  I  swear." 

"  But  aren't  you  going  to  remain?"  she 
asked  uneasily,  as  he  seemed  about  to 
move  away. 

"  No;  keep  perfectly  still  until  I  return, 
and  above  all  don't  get  alarmed.  I  am 
going  out  to  salute  'em  fellows.  They 
are  almost  here,  too,  I'm  going  to  play  on 
em.     Just  to  keep  up  my  reputation." 

Before  Mara  could  speak  he  stepped 
boldly  out  from  the  growth  into  the  path 
of  the  oncoming  horsemen. 

Parting  the  bushes  so  that  she  had  a 
good  view  of  the  scene  Mara  saw  the 
troops,  half  a  dozen  in  number,  dash  into 
sight. 

To  her  dismay  the  Wizard  Scout  went 
coolly  forward  to  meet  them,  crying  as 
they  swept  down  upon  him. 

"Hold  up  there,  boys!  would  ye  ride 
right  over  an  old  man?" 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

A    BOLD  GAME. 

"Fire  and  furies!"  cried  the  leader 
startled  by  the  sudden  appearance  of  the 
man,  "whom  have  we  here?  Whoa,  Ned!" 

"  Only  me,"  replied  the  strange  scout, 
meekly.  "Don't  ride  over  me,  Mister 
Sojevs,  and  I'll  get  out  of  the  way  as  soon 
as  I  can." 

Who  are  you  ?    and   where  do   you 
come  from,  old  man,  at  this  hour? 

"My  name  is  Moses,  sir!  am  going  to 
my  darter's,  Ann  Mayhesters.  P'raps 
you  know  Ann  Mayhesters?" 

."  Hang  you  and  Ann  Mayhesters.  Get 
out  of  my  way,  old  gray  beard,  or  I'll 
ride  right  over  you." 

"  Don't,  Mister  Sojers;  have  respect 
for  these  gray  hairs.  Whither  do  you 
ride  so  fast?" 


"  Rido  over  the  old  fool,"  exclaimed  one 
of  the  horsemen. 

"Say  old  man,  have  you  see  any  one 
on  your  journey  to-night?" 

"Seen  any  one,  my  young  friend,  truly 
I  have  not,  barring  one  and  I  would 
hardly  think  of  naming  her." 

"  Then  you  have  seen  one — a  woman, 
too!"  cried  the  other,  eagerly. 

"Boys,  she  is  our  game." 

"  Ten  to  one!" 

"Where  did  you  see  her,  old  covey?" 

"Oh,  way  back  here,  heap  of  a  ways. 
She  hid  when  I  kern  'long,  and  I  didn'fe 
let  on  thet  I  see'd  her." 

"  She's  the  one.  Old  man,  we  are  sent 
out  to  capture  that  woman.  She's  a  spy. 
Can  you  show  us  where  you  saw  her?" 

"She  a  spy,"  grasped  the  disguised 
scout. 

"  Can  you  guide  us  to  her?"  asked  the 
officer,  growing  impatient. 

"Can  1?  O'  coorse  I  can.  The  way  is 
as  plain  as  the  road  to  Aim  Mayhesters'. 
You " 

"  Then  lead  us  to  her  if  you  value  your 
life,  old  man." 

"  Yes — yes!"  mumbled  the  other;  "  only 
it's  a  heap  of  a  road,  and  I'm  not  very 
fast.  Can't  I  jess  get  a  lift  'hind  one  of 
you  fellers?" 

"  Let  him  get  up  behind  you,  Landaff ." 

With  what  assistance  the  other  could 
lend,  the  scout  climbed  up  on  the  horse's 
back  behind  the  rider. 

"Don't  go  fast."  he  muttered,  "or 
you'll  throw  me  off.  Keep  straight  ahead 
till  I  tell  you  to  stop." 

Mara  was  an  anxious  spectator  of  this 
scene,  and  as  she  saw  the  little  cavalcade 
ride  away  bearing  in  its  midst  the  scout 
she  was  at  a  loss  to  account  for  his  singu- 
lar course. 

She  could  not  think  that  it  was  to  work 
her  harm.  What  then  could  be  his  ob- 
ject? 

The  road  followed  by  the  horsemen  led 
toward  the  mountains. 

They  rode  on  for  a  mile  or  more  before 
any  one  spoke,  when  the  leader  reined 
up. 

"  How  much  further,  old  man,  must 
we  go?" 

"  I  see'd  her  jess  about  thet  turn.  But 
she  were  going  up  the  valler. 

"  Then  we  shall  soon  overtake  her;  that 
is,  if  she  was  on  foot." 
"  She  were." 
"  Good;  come  on." 

After  going  half  a  mile  further  the  old 
man  called  upon  them  to  stop. 

They  were  now  in  the  heart  of  a  wild 
country. 

The  mountains   loomed  up  in  the  dis- 
tance  ahead. 
On  either  hand   was  a  rough,  broker> 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


89 


ravine  or  gulch  running  back  to  the  base 
of  the  hights. 

"Hark!  I  thought  mebbe  I  herd  her 
holler.  But  my  old  ears  ain't  to  be  de- 
pended  on   like  they  were  once.     Ann 

Mayhesters,  my " 

"Shut  up  your  gabble,  old  fool!"  com- 
manded the  leader.  I  thought  I  heard 
some  one  cry  out." 

In  the  silence  that  followed  a  faint  cry 
was  borne  to  their  ears  from  the  fastness 
of  the  region  to  their  right. 

It  was  beyond  dispute  a  woman's  voice. 
"It  is  her!"  exclaimed  the  old    man, 
excitedly.      She     has    fell    among     the 
rocks." 

"  It  must  be  she,"  declared  the  officer. 
"But  how  in  the  name  of  Jackson  can 
we  get  our  horses  up  the  gully?  We  shall 
have  to  leave  them." 

"So  I  reckon,"  affirmed  the  scout. 
"And  you'll  you  have  to  leave  me,  too. 
Hark!  there  is  her  cry  agin." 
There  was  no  mistaking  the  fact. 
"You  remain  here  with  the  horses, 
Landaff,  while  the  rest  of  us  go  up  and 
capture  her.     We  shan't  be  gone  long." 

Quickly  suiting  action  to  words  they 
dismounted  and  started  up  the  ravine. 
The  cry.  was  heard  again. 
The  Wizard  Scout  calmly  watched  the 
departure  of  the  five  men  until  they  dis- 
appeared from  sight. 

He  was  still  sitting  on  the  horse  behind 
the  one  called  Landaff. 

Suddenly  the  latter  felt  a  vise-like  grip 
upon  his  mouth,  and  the  next  instant 
both  were  struggling  on  the  ground. 

"Don't  move  if  you  value  your  life!" 
hissed  the  scout  in  his  ear.  "  I  am  going 
to  bind  you  but  will  not  harm  you  if  you 
are  quiet." 

It  was  but  a  few  minutes1  work  to  carry 
out  his  design,  and  he  not  only  bound 
but  gagged  the  man. 

"  I'll  risk  you  now,"  he  said. 
The  other  rolled  his  eyes  and  glared 
furiously  upon  him,  but  was  powerless  to 
help  himself. 

"Now  I'll  just  do  a  little  confisticat- 
ing,"  declared  Old  Fatality,  as  he  pre- 
pared to  takeaway  a  couple  of  the  horses. 
"  As  I  don't  want  you  to  tell  any  stories 
on  me  I'll  take  you  along,  colonel.  Yes, 
by  goll,  and  I'll  take  all  of  the  horses." 

Seizing  Landaff  in  his  arms  as  if  he  had 
been  a  child  the  scout  placed  him  upon 
the  back  of  one  of  the  horses. 

He  then  mounted  one  of  the  others, 
and  prepared  to  lead  the  rest. 

Glancing  up  the  ravine  to  see  that  the 
Confederates  were  nowhere  in  sight,  he 
started  down  the  road. 

Walking  the  animals  until  beyond  the 
hearing  of  his  enemies  the  scout  then  in- 
creased their  speed. 


A  few  minutes  later  he  stopped  in  front 
of  the  place  where  he  had  left  Mara. 

She  was  about  to  leave  her  hiding- 
place  feeling  certain  that  he  had  deserted 
her.  Her  joy  at  his  return  was  very 
great  as  may  be  well  imagined. 

Before  she  could  speak  the  scout  ex- 
claimed: 

"Quick!  mount  one  of  the  horses  and 
foller  me.  1  hev  left  the  graycoats  in  the 
lurch  up  yonder— all  but  this  one  and  he's 
for  company.     Come  on!" 

Scarcely  waiting  for  Mara  to  gain  a 
seat  upon  the  nearest  horse  the  Wizard 
Scout  rode  ahead. 

The  captive  Confederate  was  beside 
him  grimly  biding  the  time  when  he 
could  give  his  vigilant  foe  the  slip. 

The  loose  horses  were  kept  along  for  a 
time  when  one  by  one  Old  Fatality  let 
them  go,  not  caring  to  be  bothered  with 
them  longer  than  he  could  safely  avoid. 

Nothing  was  said  by  either  of  the  party, 
each  being  occupied  with  conflicting 
emotions. 

To  Mara  the  scenes  of  the  past  few 
days  seemed  like  a  horrible  dream. 

In  the  midst  of  her  anxious  thoughts 
the  Wizard  Scout  suddenly  reined  up  his 
foam-flecked  horse.  His  long,  gray  locks 
streaming  in  the  night  breeze,  his 
deep-set  orbs  of  vision  burning  like  coals 
of  fire,  he  presented  a  wild  appearance. 

"Hark!"  he  said,  sharply,  "I  hear  the 
hoof-strokes  of  a  body  of  horsemen  com- 
ing this  way.  They  must  be  grays  and 
we  are  sure  to  meet  them!" 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   MEETING  OP  FRIENDS. 

Mara  uttered  a  low  cry  at  the  scout's 
startling  announcement. 

"Cannot  we  go  some  other  way  and 
thus  escape  them?"  she  asked,  tremu- 
lously. 

"Not  without  turning  back,"  replied 
the  Wizard  Scout,  "and  that  would  cost 
us  hours  of  valuable  time  without  throw- 
ing them  off  our  track.  No;  I  see  no  bet- 
ter course  for  us  than  to  keep  on.  Ha!  I 
have  a  plan. 

Landaff,  whose  countenance  aad 
brightened  at  the  sound  of  the  approach- 
ing horseman,  turned  to  his  captor  with 
a  look  of  surprise. 

"  I  should  like  to  know  what  all  this 
means,  old  man,"  he  exclaimed,  speaking 
for  the  first  time. 

"  Hey,"  said  the  scout,  "  ye  see  my  dar- 
ter and  I  hev  been  turned  outen  house 
and  home  by  'em  cursed  grays.  We 
ain't  got  nowhar  to  lay  an  ear.  So  ye  see 
we  kem  over  the  mountins  to  go  to  my 
t'other  darter's, JAnn  Mayhesters.    Mebbe 


30 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


ye  know  her.  She's  a  rebel.  So's  my 
darter,  Mollie,  here.  Their  ma  was  a 
Southern  woman.  I  am  a  Union  man 
twenty-four  hours  every  day  and  not 
afeerd  o'  Stonewall  Jackson  an'  all  his 
army.  Mebbemy  mulishness  got  us  inter 
this  difficulty.  'Tain't  fer  myself  I  keer. 
It's  the  gal." 

"But  yeVe  trapped  at  last,  old  man," 
retorted  the  Confederate,  smiling  tri- 
umphantly. 

"  I'm  not  so  sure  o'  thet." 

"But  those  troops  coming  beyond 
no  doubt  belong  to  Johnston's  forces. 
Hark!  they  will  soon  be  here.  You  had 
better  free  me,  old  man.  It  is  for  your 
interest." 

"  That's  just  what  I'm  going  to  do. 
But  afore  I  set  in  I'm  going  to  lay  down 
a  bit  a  law.  Ye  see  thet  shooter,  man; 
it  is  loaded  to  kill.  An'  the  lead  it  carries 
is  fer  you  unless  you  do  just  as  1  tell  you. 
I  don't  look  like  a  man  who  eats  his 
words,  do  I?  Wal,  I'm  goin'  to  set  you 
free.  Then  1  want  you  to  ride  forward 
with  us  just  as  if  you  were  doing  it  will- 
ingly. If  the  party  are  a  Northern  squad, 
I'll  make  it  all  right  with  them.  If  they 
are  grays,  as  I  expect,  you  are  to  tell 
them  that  you  are  escorting  the  gal  and  I 
to  our  relative's  in  Macon,  an'  that  we 
are  true  blue— I  mean  in  this  case  gray. 
Remember  I  shall  watch  your  every 
movement  and  if  you  dare  to  betray  me 
by  word  or  sign  I'll  shoot  you  at  the  mo- 
ment. My  hand  will  be  on  this  weapon 
all  of  the  time.     Do  you  understand?" 

The  man  winced  but  did  not  offer  to 
speak. 

"  To  prove  to  you  that  I  will  do  as  I 
say,  I  wilt  tell  you  that  I  am  Old  Fatality, 
the  Wizard  Scout!" 

A  groan  from  the  other  told  that  the 
mention  of  that  dreaded  name  was  not 
without  its  effect. 

By  this  time  the  clatter  of  horses'  hoofs 
was  near  at  hand,  and  without  further 
delay  the  scout  freed  the  captive. 

"  Don't,  forget  my  warning!"  he  hissed 
in  the  trembling  wretch's  ear.  "Come, 
ride  forward  and  do  as  I  have  told  you  to 
the  letter." 

Without  daring  to  disobey,  while  hop- 
ing that  fortune  would  turn  in  his  favor, 
the  Confederate  rode  ahead  a  little  in  ad- 
vance of  his  captor,  whose  eagle  eyes 
never  for  an  instant  left  him. 

Mara  followed  a  little  behind  them. 

By  this  time  the  oncoming  cavalcade 
was  near  at  hand,  and  a  minute  later  it 
dashed  into  sight. 

We  need  not  say  thai  they  were  an 
anxious  trio,  though  outwardly  the  Wiz- 
ard Scout  appeared  as  calm  as  if  expect- 
ing to  meet  friends. 

As  the  horsemen  drew  nearer  hi?  coun 


tenance  lightened  and  then  he  said,  half 
aloud: 

"  It  is  he!  we  are  saved." 

Mara  heard  the  words  and  she  supple- 
mented them  with  a  cry  of  joy. 

At  the  head  of  the  approaching  squad 
she  recognized  the  form  of  her  lover, 
Cavalry  Curt! 

He  seemed  scarcely  less  surprised  than 
thejr  and  his  pleasure  was  as  great. 

"You  have  escaped  in  safety,"  she  said, 
as  he  clasped  Mara's  hand. 

"Yes;  though  it  has  been  a  fearful 
ordeal." 

"Well,  have  courage  now,  for  the  worst 
of  your  journey  is  over  I  think.  You  are 
going  to  your  relatives  to  stop  I  sup- 
pose?" 

"Yes;  poor  grandpa  is  no  more.  And 
Harry!  can  you  tell  me  ought  of  him?" 

"Only  that  he  was  alive  and  well  yes- 
terday. Please  bear  no  unnecessary 
alarm  on  his  account.  And  as  you  shall 
lose  little  in  distance  we  will  keep  you 
company  ten  miles  or  so  on  your 
journey." 

Mara  murmured  her  thanks. 

"Whom  have  you  here,"  asked  Curt  of 
the  Wizard  Scout,  pointing  to  Landaff . 

"  One  of  our  gray  coat  friends,"  replied 
the  other.  "  And  as  he  seems  a  little  un- 
easy, mebbe  we  had  better  secure  him." 

Landaff  had  waited  for  an  opportunity 
to  escape  but  his  captor  had  been  too 
vigilant  for  him  to  make  the  venture. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  united  parties 
were  moving  on  their  journey. 

Curt  rode  beside  Mara  to  give  her  a  suc- 
cinct account  of  his  escape  from  Dalton 
and  the  succeeding  events,  while  she  told 
of  all  which  had  befallen  her,  and  in  an  un- 
guarded moment  dropped  a  word  which 
apprized  him  as  to  who  his  rescuer  had 
been. 

"  So  you  risked  your  life  for  me,"  he 
said,  tenderly.  "  How  can  I  pay  you  for 
all  you  have  done?" 

"  I  feel  amply  paid  to  know  that  you 
are  safe." 

The  naive  confession  sent  a  thrill  of  joy 
to  his  heart. 

But  the  time  had  come  for^them  to  part 
again  and  he  held  her  hand  which  trem- 
bled in  his  while  he  saw  the  tear-drops 
glisten  in  her  eyes.  He  knew  there  were 
several  in  his  own. 

"  Have  courage,  dearest,"  he  whispered. 
"The  war  will  soon  be  over  and  then  I 
will  come  to  you,  loving  and  trusting." 

She  tried  to  speak  in  vain,  but  when 
his  lips  pressed  hers  they  felt  the  thrill 
of  love's  sweet  kiss. 

"Till  we  meet  again,  darling,  be  of 
good  cheer." 

"Be  careful  of  yourself,  for  m^T  sake; 
and  n  meuiber  me  to  Harry." 


CAVALRY  CURT. 


31 


[Kind  readers  we  will  bid  you  adieu  for 
a  short  time,  when  we  will  continue  this 
thrilling  story  under  the  title  of  "  Under 
Two  Flags,"  and  will  follow  the  fortunes 
of  all  the  characters  through  the  various 
scenes  through  which  they  passed.  The 
sequel  to  "  Cavalry  Curt ''  will  be  as  in- 


teresting and  as  full  of  adventure  as  this 
has  been.  Harry  Morland,  Cavalry  Curt, 
Mara  and  the  Wizard  Scout  will  be  fol- 
lowed to  "the  end  of  the  war.  Don't  fail 
to  buy  this;  you  will  be  well  pleased  with 
the  ending. — Ed.] 

THE  END. 


K 


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